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1830 


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in  2011  with  funding  from 

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COMPANION  FOR  THE  ALTAR; 

on 

WEIiK'S  PREPARATION 

FOB  THE 

HOL<Y  COMMUNION; 

COSfSrSTING  OF 

A  SHORT  EXPLANATION  OF  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER, 

AND 

MEDITATIONS  AND  PRAYERS 

rnOPEH  TO  BE  USED  BEFOBE  ASH  BURIWG   THE  HECEIVING  OF  THE 

BOXi-ir   coMMUnrzoi^T; 

ACCORDING  TO  TBE  FORM  PRESCRIBED   BT  THR 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

IN   THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 


BY  JOHN  HENRY  HOB\RT,  D.  D. 

Biiljop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  New- York. 


THE  FIFTH.  FROM  THE  FOURTH.  EDITIOST, 


J/ETFYOJIS'.' 

PUBLISHED  BY  T.  AND  J.  SWORDS, 
No.  127  Hro  i«lw«v. 


Edward  J.  Stoords,  Printer, 

1830. 


Southern  District  of  J\'e-W'YovJCf  ss, 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  that  on  the  twenty-third  day  of 
June,  in  the  forty -third  year  of  the  Independence  of  the 
o     1        United  States  of  America,  T.  &  J.  SioordSy  of  the  said  Dis- 
^^  '       trict,  have  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  Book,  the 
right  whereof  they  claim  as  Proprietors,  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, to  wit: 
A  Companion  for  the  Mtar ,'  or  Week's  Preparation  for  the  Holy 
Communion  :   Consisting  of  a  short  Explanation  of  the  Lord's  Supper ^ 
and  Meditations  and  Prayers  proper  to  be  used  before  and  during 
the  receiving  of  the  Holy  Communion ;   according  to  the  Form  pre- 
acribed  by  the  Protestarit  Episcopal  Church  in  me  United  States  of 
America.     By  John  Henry  Hobart,  D   I).  Bishop  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  J\'e-w-York.     The  fourth  edition^ 
revised  and  corrected. 

'  In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  Cnit»tl  States,  entitled 
"An  Act  for  the  Encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  Cojjits 
of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  Authors  and  Proprietors  of  such 
Copies,  during  the  time  therein  mentioned."  And  also  to  ^n  Act,  en- 
titled '*  An  Act,  supplementary  to  an  Act,  entitled  an  Act  for  the  En- 
couragement of  Learning,  by  securing  the  Copies  of  Myps,  Charts,  and 
Books,  to  the  Authors  und  Proprietors  of  such  Copies,  during  the  times 
therein  menlione*!,  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  tTie  Arts  of 
Designing,  Engraving,  and  Etching  Historical  and  other  Prints." 

GILBERT  LIVINGSTON  THOMPSON. 
Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  of  JVetp-1'oj  h. 

By  Edward  TniNon,  Ass't,  Clerh^  ^c. 


PREFACE 

TO 

THE  FIRST  EDITIOX. 


In  the  explanation  of  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  prefixed  to  this  work,  the 
author  has  endeavoured  to  use,  as  much  as 
possible,  the  words  of  the  Church  in  her 
Catechism  and  Office  for  the  Communion.* 
In  this  introductory  treatise  he  has  also  made 
free  use  of  an  excellent  Tract  on  the  Holy 
Communion,  by  Bishop  Gibson,  and  of  a 
Sermon  of  the  late  Bishop  Seabury,  on  the 
same  subject ;  and  when  he  quoted  their  sen- 
timents, he  thought  it  proper  to  use  nearly 
their  language.  As  quotations  from  others 
are  thus  incorporated  witii  remarks  of  his 
own,  a  variety  of  style  may  possibly  be  ob* 
served  in  this  part  of  the  work.  It  is  neces- 
sary also  to  remark,  that  the  devotions  to  be 

•  And,  in  doing  this,  he  has  taken  for  his  guide  a  short 
Explanation  of  the  Lord^s  Supper  in  the  New  Week's  Pre. 
paration. 


IV  PREFACE* 

Used  at  the  admiiustrationof  the  Holy  Com- 
munion, are  not  all  of  them  entirely  original. 
But  for  the  rest  of  the  work,  the  meditations 
and  prayers  to  be  used  in  the  week  before 
the  receiving  of  the  Communion,  the  author 
is  solely  responsible. 

In  the  following  pages  the  writer  has  en- 
deavoured to  keep  in  view  two  principles, 
which  he  deems  most  important  and  funda- 
mental. These  principles  are — That  we  are 
saved  from  the  guilt  and  dominion  of  sin  by 
the  divine  merits  and  grace  of  a  crucified 
Redeemer ;  and  that  the  merits  and  grace  of 
this  Redeemer  are  applied  to  the  soul  of  the 
believer  in  the  devout  and  humble  participa- 
tion of  the  ordinances  of  the  Church,  admi- 
tiistered  by  a  priesthood  who  derive  their  au- 
thority  by  regular  transmission  from  Christ, 
the  Divine  Head  of  the  Church,  and  the 
source  of  all  the  power  in  it.  These  are  the 
principles  which,  at  first  promulgated  by  the 
apostles,  "in  demonstration  of  the  spirit  and 
with  power,'*  constituted  the  glory  of  the 
primitive  Church — that  Church,  which  was 
watered  by  the  tears  and  blood  of  confess 
sors  and  martyrs.  These  are  the  principles 
which,  though  in  the  present  age  unhappily 


PREFACE.  V 

disregarded  and  contemned,  will  again  be 
cherished  with  sacred  and  inviolable  ardour 
when  it  shall  please  the  Divine  and  Almighty 
Head  of  the  Church  to  restore  her  to  her 
original  purity  and  perfection.  Could  Chris- 
tians be  persuaded  heartily  to  embrace  these 
principles,  and  to  regulate  their  faith  and 
conduct  by  them,  the  Church  would  be  res- 
cued, on  the  one  hand,  from  those  baneful 
opinions  which  are  reducing  the  Gospel  to  a 
cold,  unfruitful,  and  comfortless  system  of 
heathen  morals  ;  and,  on  the  other,  from  that 
wild  spirit  of  enthusiasm  and  irregular  zeal 
which,  contemning  the  divinely  constituted 
government  and  priesthood  of  the  Church, 
is  destroying  entirely  her  order,  unity,  and 
beauty,  and  undermining  the  foundations  of 
sound  and  sober  piety. 

It  may  possibly  be  objected  to  the  strain  of 
devotion  in  this  work,  that  it  is  msionary  and 
enthusiastic.  But  surely  devotional  writings, 
in  order  to  engage  and  interest  the  affections, 
ought  to  be,  in  some  degree  at  least,  fervent 
and  animated.  The  devotional  strains  of  the 
sweet  psalmist  of  Israel  breathe  the  raptur- 
ous spirit  of  those  celestial  courts  to  which 
they  are  designed  to  lead  the  soul.     If  it  be 

A  2 


^1  FRBFA€E. 

necessary  to  descend  from  sacred  to  htitnaa 
authority — the  appeal  may  be  made  to  the 
primitive  fathers,  who  poured  forth  their  de- 
votional feelings  in  language  the  most  ardeat 
and  impassioned.  The  divines  of  the  Churck 
of  England,  who  imbibed  their  principles 
and  their  piety  at  the  pure  fountain  of  the 
primitive  Church,  are  distinguished  for  their 
lively  and  animating  fervour.  The  writings 
of  the  venerable  Bishop  Andrews,  of  Bishop 
Taylor,  Bishop  Kenn,  Bishop  Hall,  Dean 
Hickes,  Dean  Sianhope,  Bishop  Wilson, — 
(the  enumeration  might  be  extended) — and 
the  late  eloquent  and  pious  Bishop  Home, 
not  less  instruct  by  sound  and  forcible  rea- 
soning, than  animate  and  warm  by  the  sacred 
fervour  which  pervades  them.  Far  be  it  from 
the  writer,  humble  in  attainments  as  in  years, 
to  presume  to  range  himself,  even  in  the  low- 
est seat,  with  these  eminently  distinguished 
servants  of  the  sanctuary.  Happy  may  he 
esteem  himself,  if,  from  the  study  of  their 
works,  which,  next  to  the  inspired  volume, 
he  cherishes  as  the  invaluable  standard  of 
his  principles,  and  the  animating  guide  of 
his  devotions,  he  has  caught  even  a  feeble 
spark  of  that  celestial  spirit  which  made  them 


PREFACE.  nl 

burning  and  shining  lights  in  the  Church  on 
earth,  and  has  prepared  them  for  the  highest 
seats  of  glory  in  the  Church  Triumphant. 

For  the  errors  and  imperfections  which  he 
fears  will  be  found  in  the  work,  he  must  offer 
as  his  best,  though  (he  is  sensible)  feeble 
apology;  that  from  some  unavoidable  cir- 
cumstances, the  work,  amidst  the  pressure  of 
professional  duties,  was  written  and  printed 
with  a  haste  and  rapidity  that  prevented  tiiose 
frequent  and  careful  corrections,  by  which 
only  a  young  and  humble  writer  can  hope  to 
attain  accuracy  and  excellence. 

That  the  work,  notwithstanding  its  imper- 
fections, may  tend  to  excite  the  attention  of 
the  careless  to  that  inestimable  ordinance 
which  is  the  means  and  pledge  of  the  Sa- 
viour's grace  and  mercy — that  it  may  aid  the 
Christian  to  receive,  with  lively  penitence, 
gratitude,  and  faith,  the  hallowed  sjymbols  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  his  blessed  Redeemer, 
by  which  he  is  to  be  nourished  and  strength- 
ened unto  everlasting  life — is  the  humble  but 
earnest  prayer  of 

THE  AUTHOR. 

New-York,  Maij,  1804. 


CONTENTS. 


The  Usefulness  of  actual  Preparation  before  receiving  tlie  Lord's 
Supper      ---.....11 

A  short  Introduction  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  stating  the  Nature  of 

the  Ordinance,  and  the  necessary  Preparation  for  it      -  -         13 

MOXDAV  MOKNING.   ^/^(/iVa/ion— The  Obligation  of  receiv- 
ing the  Moly  Communion  stated,  and  the  various  Pretences  for 
neglecting  it  considered  and  refuted        .  -  -  .27 

The  Praver,  &c.      .-.--.-        54 
MONDAY  EVFA'ING.     JI/e^i/ai/oTi— The  Christian  directed 
in  the  serious  Examination  of  his  Spiritual  Character  and  State, 
as  preparatory  to  his  receiving  the  Holy  Coramuuion    .  -        56 

A  CoJifession  of  Siu  .--...        43 

The  Supplication      .-...-.49 
TUESDAY   MORNING.     Meditation— Sl&a   in    his   Natural 

State  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -         51 

The  Prayer  -  *  .  i  »  -  .        153 

TUESDAY    EVENING.     Meditation—yisin   in   his   Natural 

State         .--..--.        sr 
The  Praver  .......        67 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING.    »WetiiVa«»on— Repentance         -        69 
The  Prayer  ---.-..         80 

WEDNESDAY  EVENING.    .Ve^tVa^on— Resolutions  of  Obe- 
dience.    The  invigorating  and  sanctifving  Ageiicv  of  ihe  Holy 
Spirit         .  .  -  -        '    .  .'  -  '.81 

The  Praver  .......         93 

THURSDAY  MORNING.    JMsditation— F-ahh  la  Christ        -        95 
The  Prayer  .......       107 

THURSDAY  EVENING.     J\Iedilatio7i—Vmh  in  Christ  as  the 

eternal  Son  of  God,  and  as  a  Prophet,  a  Priest,  and  King         -       109 
The  Prayer  -  .  -  -  -  -  .       I2i 

FRIDAY  MORNING.     Jihditation—Thi\nklu\  Remembrance 

f)f  Christ's  Death 12S 

The  Prayer  -  -  -  -  .  .  -       134 

FRIDAY  EVENING.  JMeditation—ThankM  Remembrance  of 

the  Death  of  Christ — Charily  wiih  all  Men        -  -  -       136 

An   Act  of  Thaiiksgiving    for  the  Humiliation  and  Sufferings  of 

Christ        ........       152 

The  Prayer  .......       15$ 

SATURDAY  MORNING.    .Meditation— The  devout  Partici- 
pation of  the  Ordinances  of  the  Church,  the  appointed  Method 
of  Salvation  -  -  -  -  •>  -  -15Q 

The  Praver  .,.-.,-.      I6!j 


X  CONTENTS. 

Page. 
Meditation — The  Mode  by  which  Authority  to  administer  the 

Sacraments  is  to  be  derived  from  Christ,  the  Divine  Head  of  the 

Church 171 

The  Prayer 184 

SATURDAY  EVEMNG.    Meditation— On  the  Nature  and 

Benefits  of  the  Lord's  Supper     -  -  -  -  -187 

The  Prayer 191 

SUNDAY   MORNING.     Meditation— The.   Dispositions  with 

wl)ich  the  Communicant  should  advance  to  the  Altar     -            -  193 

The  Prayer              .......  203 

The  Order  for  the  Administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  Holy 

Communion           .....             -            .  20i 

The  Prayer               .......  231 

A  Form  of  Prayer  for  the  Morning            ....  2.33 

A  Form  of  Prayer  for  Noon            ...            -             -  236 

A  Form  of  Prayer  for  Evening,  &c.            ....  238 

Directions  to  Collects  and  Psalms,  &c.        ....  247 

Note  A,  to  page  178             ......  245 


THE 

USEFULNESS  OF  ACTUAL  PREPARATION 

B£FORB  BECXITIiro 

THE   L.ORI>'S  SUPPER. 

(From  Dr.  Waterland,) 

"  Our  esteem  or  disesteem  of  this  holy 
sacrament  will  best  be  seen  by  our  preparing 
or  not  preparing  for  it  as  we  ought.  There 
is  something  of  a  preparation  of  heart,  mind, 
and  ways,  required  for  all  religious  offices, 
much  more  for  this,  which  is  the  flower  and 
perfection  of  all. 

"  As  to  the  length  of  time  to  be  taken  in 
preparing,  there  is  no  one  certain  rule  to  be 
given,  which  can  suit  all  cases  or  circumstan- 
ces: only,  when  a  man  has  competently  ad- 
justed his  accounts  with  God,  (be  it  sooner  or 
later,;  then  he  is  fit  to  come,  and  not  till  then. 

"  There  is  an  habitual,  and  there  is  an 
actual  preparation.  The  habitual  preparation 
is  a  good  life;  and  the  further  we  are  advanc- 
ed in  it,  the  less  need  there  is  of  any  actual 
preparation  besides.  But,  because  men  are  too 
apt  to  flatter  and  deceive  their  own  hearts^  and 
to  speak  peace  to  themselves  without  sufficient 
ground  for  so  doing ;  therefore  some  actual 
preparation,  self-examination,  &.c.  is  gener- 
ally necessary,  even  to  those  who  may  be  ha- 
bitually good,  if  it  be  only  to  give  them  a  well- 
grounded  assurance  that  they  really  are  so. 

'*  It  were  to  be  wished  there  were  not  many 


12         Preparation  for  the  Lord^s  Supper, 

amoncrst  us  who  have  a  great  deal  to  consider 
of  belorehand  ;  many  offences  to  correct,  many 
disorders  to  >et  right,  much  to  do,  and  much 
to  undo,  before  they  presume  to  come  to 
God's  altar. 

"  Fault  has  been  sometimes  found  with 
these  little  treatises  of  Weekly  Preparation: 
I  think,  without  reason.  They  are  exceedingly 
nsefid  in  their  kind, — It  may  be  happy  for 
them  who  need  none  of  these  helps  :  but 
they  that  least  need  them,  are  not  the  men, 
generally,  who  most  despise  them.  None  of 
us,  perhaps,  are  so  perfect  as  not  to  want,  at 
some  seasons,  some  such  hints  for  recollec- 
tion, or  lu'lps  to  devotion.  It  is  well  for 
common  Christians,  that  they  are  provided 
loiih  useful  manuals  of  that  kind.  They  that 
are  well  disposed,  will  make  use  of  them  as 
often  as  they  need  them,  and  will  at  all  times 
give  God  thanks  and  praises  for  them." 


To  the  above  judicious  remarks  it  may  be 
proper  to  add,  that  Christians  should  omit 
no  opportunity  of  receiving  the  holy  eucharist, 
even  when  it  has  not  been  in  their  power  to 
go  through  the  usual  previous  preparation. 

He  who  sincerely  endeavours  to  serve  his 
God  and  Saviour,  is  always  [)repared  to  re- 
ceive the  Lord's  Supper.  And  he  should 
thankfully  embrace  every  opportunity  of  com- 
memorating, in  this  sacred  ordinance,  the 
love  of  his  blessed  Redeemer,  and  of  receiv- 
ing fresh  supplies  of  grace  to  quicken  and 
strengthen  him  in  his  Christian  course. 


A 

SHORT  INTRODUCTION 

TO  THE 

liORD'S    SUPPER, 


THE  NATURE  OF  THE  ORDINANCE,  AND  THE 
NECESSARY  PREPARATION  FOR  IT.* 

The  Church  in  the  catechism  informs  us, 
that  Christ  has  ordained  only  two  sacra- 
ments, as  genera Uy  necessary  to  salvation ; 
that  is  to  say,  Baptism  and  the  Supper  of 
the  Lord,  Baptism  was  instituted  by  Christ, 
to  be  the  right  of  admission  inio  his  Church,\ 
and  is  answerable  to  circumcision  among  the 
Jews.X  The  Lord's  Supper  was  ordained  as 
a  memorial  of  the  sacrifice  of  the  death  of 
Christ,§  and  appointed  by  him  instead  of  the 

•  Seethe  introductory  paragraph  in  the  preface. 

■}■  Go  y f  therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  thera.  Matt,  xxviii. 
\%  Then  they  that  gladly  received  the  word  were  baptized;  and  the 
same  day  there  were  added  unto  them  about  three  thousand  souls. 
Acts  ii.  41. 

\  !n  whom  also  ye  are  circumcised  with  the  circumcision  made  with- 
out hands,  in  putting  off  the  body  of  the  sins  of  the  flesh  by  the  circum- 
cision of  Christ:  Buried  with  him  in  baptism,  wherein  also  ye  are  risen 
with  hira  through  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God,  who  hath  raised  Iiim 
from  the  dead.      Col.  ii.  U,  12 

\  For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also  I  delivered  unto  you. 
That  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  in  which  he  was  betrayed,  took 
hread:  And  when  he  had  given  thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said,  Take,  eat: 
this  ismv  body  which  is  brokrn  for  you:  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 
After  the  same  manner  also  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had  supped,  say- 
ing, Thii  cup  is  thr-  New  Testament  in  my  blood ;  this  do  ye^  as  oft  as 
ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me.     I  Cor,  xi.  23 — 25. 

B 


14  The  Sacrament  of  the 

Jewish  passover.*^  These  sacraments  are  both 
necessary  to  salvation.  Baptism  is  necessary, 
being  the  ordinance  whereby  we  are  regen- 
erated, that  is,  are  translated  from  our  natural 
state  into  a  state  of  grace,  and  horn  again  to 
a  title  to  all  the  privileges  of  the  Gospel  co- 
venant.! The  LorWs  Supper  is  necessary, 
because  it  conveys  that  spiritual  food  by  which 
we  are  nourished  to  everlasting  life.  The 
former  is  to  be  only  once,  the  latter  often  re- 
ceived. 

These  ordinances  the  Church  considers  as 
only  generally,  and  not  absolutely,  necessary 
to  salvation.  She  does  not  take  upon  her  to 
exclude  all  hope  of  God's  mercy,  in  those 
extraordinary  cases,  where  the  want  of  op- 
portunity or  capacity,  or  the  force  of  involun- 
tary error  prevents  men  from  receiving  the 
sacraments.  But  as  the  Jeics  w^ere  obliged, 
under  the  severest  penalty,  to  be  circumcis- 
ed,J  and  keep  the  passover;§  so  our  guilt  and 
danger  will  be  proportionably  great  in  not 
observing,  wlien  it  is  in  our  power,  these  two 
more  easy  institutions,!]  which  are  not  only 

•  For  even  Christ  our  ppssover  is  sacrificed  for  us.     1  Cor-  v.  7. 

■\  Jesus  answeitd,  VeriK,  verily,  1  say  unto  thee,  except  a  man  be 
tiorn  of  water  tn<l  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God.  John  iii.  5.  For  by  orie  spirit  are  we  all  baptizedinto  one  body. 
1  Cor.  xii.  13.     Saved  by  the  WHshing  of  regeneration.     Tiliis  iii.  5. 

%  And  the  uncii-tumcised  nian-tliild,  \^hose  flesli  of  liis  foreskin  is  not 
tircunicistd,  that  soul  shall  be  cut  ofi"  from  his  people;  he  hath  biokeii 
my  covenant.     Gen.  xy'u.X^. 

§  Rut  the  man  that  is  clean,  and  is  not  in  a  journey,  and  forbeareth 
to  keop  the  pussover,  even  the  s;tme  soul  sihall  be  cutoff  from  his  people. 
J\\nnb.  ix.  13. 

[j  See  that  ye  refuse  not  him  that  speaketh.  For  if  they  escaped  not 
•who  refused  hira  that  spi'ke  on  earth,  much  more  shall  not  we  escspe,  \l 
\\ c  turn  away  l;oni  iiiia  ^l;at  sjjeakelh  from  heaven.    JJeb.  .vii.  25. 


Lord^s  Supper  explained.  15 

of  a  higher  authority,  but  also  the  distinguish- 
ing badges  of  a  more  excellent  profession.* 

By  the  word  sacrament  the  Church  informs 
us  is  meant  an  outward  and  visible  sign  of 
an  inward  and  spiritual  grace  given  unto  us, 
ordained  hy  Christ  himself  as  a  means  ichere- 
hy  ice  receive  the  same,  and  a  pledge  to  assure 
us  thereof  In  order,  therefore,  to  constitute 
a  sacrament  there  must  be,  firsts  something 
discernible  and  apparent  to  our  senses:  se- 
condly,  this  external  sign  must  represent  some 
spiritual  grace  and  favour  vouchsafed  us  by 
God :  thirdly  J  the  outward  symbol  must  be 
of  Chrisfs  own  institution:  hudi,  fourthly,  it 
must  be  appointed  by  him  as  a  means  of  con- 
veying to  us  the  inward  grace,  and  as  a  seal 
and  pledge  to  assure  it  to  us. 

The  parts  of  which  a  sacrament  consists 
are  two,  viz.  the  outward  visible  sign,  and  the 
inward  spiritual  grace.  Outward  sensible 
things  can,  by  the  institution  of  God,  be  means 
to  convey,  and  pledges  to  assure  to  us,  divine 
grace  and  favour.  These  sacramental  signs 
were  ordained  by  God  in  gracious  condescen- 
sion to  our  infirmities,  to  inform  our  under- 
standing, to  refresh  our  memories,  and  to  ex- 
cite our  affections.  Their  efficacy  is  not  owing 
to  any  power  in  themselves,  but  to  the  blessing 
of  Christ.\  We  are  not,  therefore,  to  doubt 
but  that,  in  the  right  use  of  the  outward  means, 

•  For  the  law  was  given  bj  Moses,  but  grace  and  truth  carae  by  Jesus 
Christ.    John  i.  17. 

f  So  then,  neither  is  he  tnat  planteth  any  thing,  neither  be  that  water- 
eth ;  but  God,  that  giveth  tbe  increase.     1  Cor.  iii.  7. 


16  The  Sacrament  of  the 

he  will,  by  the  power  of  his  spirit,  though  in 
a  manner  unknown  to  us,  convey  and  confirm 
in  Baptism,  and  convey  and  confirm  in  the 
Lord's  Slipper  to  the  worthy  receivers,  the 
divine  grace  signified  thereby. 

The  Lords  Supper  is  so  called,  because  the 
Jetcish  custom  of  eating  bread  and  drinking 
wine,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  Paschal  Sup- 
per,  was  by  our  Lord  converted  into  the 
sacrament  of  his  most  precious  bodi/  and 
blood'' 

The  Church  teaches  us,  that  the  outward 
part  or  sign  of  the  Lords  Supper  is  bread  and 
^cine,  which  the  Lord  has  commanded  to  be  re-- 
reived.  Though  it  is  our  duty  to  rest  satisfi^ 
ed  in  our  Lord's  will  and  pleasure,  without 
seeking  after  a  reason  for  his  appointments ; 
we  cannot  but  observe,  that  as  our  spiritual 
purification  is  appositely  represented  hyicater 
in  the  other  sacrament,  so  is  our  spiritual  sus- 
tenance by  bread  and  icine  in  this.  This 
sacrament  is  commanded  to  be  administered 
in  both  kinds, J 

The  Church  likewise  informs  us,  that  the  in- 
icard  part,  or  thing  signified,  is  the  body  and 
blood  of  Christ,     God  did  not  only  give  his 

*  And  he  took  bread,  and  gave  thanks,  and  hrake  it,  and  gave  unto 
them,  saying,  This  is  my  body  which  is  given  for  you;  this  do  in  renieni- 
"brance  of  me.  Likewise  also  the  cup  after  supper,  saying,  This  cup  is 
the  New  Testament  in  ray  blood,  which  is  shed  for  you.  Luhe  xxii.  19, 
20. 

f  The  cup  of  blessing  which  we  bless,  is  it  not  the  communion  of  the 
blood  of  Christ.''  The  bread  which  we  break,  is  it  not  the  coramuuion  of 
the  body  of  Christ''  1  Cor.  x.  16.  And  as  they  were  eating,  Jesus  took 
tread,  and  blessed  it  and  brake  it,  and  gave  it  to  the  disciples,  and  said, 
Tt!ke,  eat;  this  is  my  body.  And  he  took  the  cup,  and  gave  thanks,  and 
gave  it  to  them,  saying.  Drink  ye  all  of  it.    JMatt,  xxvi.  i26,  27. 


Lord^s  Supper  explained.  17" 

Son  Jesus  Christ  to  die  for  us,  but  also  to  be 
our  spiritual  food  and  sustenance  in  this  holy 
sacrament;  and  if  we  receive  it  with  a  true 
penitent  heart  and  lively  faith,  we  do  spirit- 
ually  eat  the  flesh  of  Christ,  and  drink  his 
blood :  we  partake  of  all  those  blessings  which 
he  purchased  by  the  offering  of  his  body  and 
blood;  we  are  nourished  and  preserved  to 
everlasting  life. 

The  Church  assures  us,  that  the  sacrament 
of  the  Lordh  Supper  icas  ordained  for  the 
continual  remembrance  of  the  sacrifice  of  the 
death  of  Christ  and  of  the  benefits  tchich  we 
receive  thereby.     This   memorial  of  Christ's 
death  is  to  be  a  standing  service  in  his  Church, 
so   long   as  it   continues  militant  on  earth. 
Christ  did  institute,  and  in  his  holy  Gospel 
command  us  to  continue  a  perjfetual  memory 
of  his  precious  death  and  sacrifice,  until  his 
coming  again.*     His  death  is  called  a  sacrifice; 
because  our  heavenly  Father,  of  his  tender  mer- 
cy, gave  his  only  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  suffer 
death  upon  the  cross  for  our  redemption;  who 
made  there(byhis  one  oblation  of  himself  once 
offered)  a  full,  perfect,  and  sufficient  sacrifice, 
oblation,  and  satisfaction  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world.f     By  this  sacrifice  we  receive 
the  remission  of  our  sins,  and  are  made  par» 
takers  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.}  And  as  the 

•  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  tliis  bread,  and  d,  ink  this  cup,  ye  do  sliow  the 
Loi'd's  death  till  he  corae.     1  Cor.  xi.  26. 

t  And  he  is  ilu-  prnpitiation  foi'  our  sins;  and  not  fo  •  oui's  only,  but 
iil30  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  woruK     1  John  ii.  '2.. 

4  For  if,  Tvhen  we  were  enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to  God  bv  the 
B2 


18  The  Sacrament  of  the 

Son  of  God  did  vouchsafe  to  yield  up  his  soul 
by  death,  upon  the  cross  for  our  salvation ;  so 
it  is  the  duty  of  all  Christians  frequently  to  re- 
ceive the  communion,  in  remembrance  of  the 
sacrifice  of  his  death,  as  he  himself  has  com- 
manded.* 

The  eucharist  is  considered  by  some  as  not 
only  a  sacrament,  in  which,  under  the  symbols 
of  bread  and  wine,  according  to  the  institu- 
tion of  Christ,  the  faithful  truly  and  spiritually 
receive  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  but  also 
a  sacrifice,  commemorative  of  the  original 
sacrifice  and,  death  of  Christ  for  our  deliver- 
ance from  sin  and  death  :  a  memorial  made 
before  God,  to  plead  with  him  the  meritorious 
sacrifice  and  death  of  his  dear  Son  for  the 
forgiveness  of  our  sins,  and  all  other  benefits 
of  Christ's  passion.  The  eucharist  being,  as 
its  name  imports,  a  sacrifice  of  thanksgimng, 
the  bread  and  wine,  after  they  have  been  of- 
fered, or  given  to  God,  and  blessed  or  sanc- 
tified by  his  Holy  Spirit,  are  returned  by  the 
hand  of  his  minister,  to  be  eaten  by  the  faith- 
ful, as  di  feast  upon  the  sacrifice;  both  to  de- 
note their  being  at  peace  and  in  favour  with 
God,  being  thus  fed  at  his  table,  and  eating 
of  his  food,  and  also  to  convey  to  the  worthy 
receivers  all   the  benefits  and   blessings   of 

death  of  his  Son ;  much  more,  being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  hi.s 
life.     Rom.  v.  10. 

•  After  the  %^mt  manner  he  also  took  the  cup  when  he  had  supped, 
saying,  This  cup  is  the  N^w  Testament  m  my  blood;  tiiis  do  ye,  as  oft 
zt  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of  me.  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread 
and  drink  this  cup,  ve  do  show  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come.  I  Ctr,  x\> 
25,  26. 


Lord^s  Supper  explained,  \% 

Christ's  natural  body  and  blood,  which  were 
offered  and  slain  for  their  redemption.* 

The  Church  informs  us,  that  the  benefits 
whereof  we  are  partakers  in  the  Lord^s  Sup- 
per are  the  strengthening  and  refreshing  of 
our  souls f  by  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ, 
as  our  bodies  are  by  the  bread  and  wine.  As 
bread  and  trine,  considered  only  as  natural 
food,  strengthen  and  refresh  our  bodies,  so 
this  bread  and  icine,  received  as  inemorials  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  our  Master,  tend 
to  the  miprovement  and  health  of  our  sotds. 
In  this  ordinance  our  souls  are  strengthened 
by  the  most  solemn  exercise  of  faith  ;  by  the 
most  lively  acts  of  gratitude  and  lore ;  and 
especially  by  the  communication  of  superna- 
tural grace.\  Our  souls  are  also  refreshed  by 
the  comfortable  assurance  of  God's  favour 


•  See  Bishop  Se'<bury's  discourse  on  the  hoiy  eucharist. 

Some  I'iversitv  of  opinion  exists  on  the  subject  of  the  eucharist  being, 
in  a  strict  ?nf)  proper  sense,  a  sacrifice.  Considering  the  death  nf  the 
victim  as  essential  lo  a  sacrifice,  the  term  is  improperly  applied  to  the 
eucharist.  In  this  ordinance  there  is  no  victim  slsir.  ;"id  offered.  But  if 
sacrifice  he  consiHered  as  synonymous  with  obhifiori,  the  lioly  eucharist 
may  IjC  esteeraeti  a  in/e  and  proper  sacrifice.  Fur  the  benediction  of 
the  bread  and  ivine  bv  our  Lord,  we  moy  leasoPiblv  eonelude,  was  ac- 
companied viih  the  solemn  oblation  of  them  to  his  Alniightv  Father,  as 
the  memorial  of  his  body  that  wr^s  to  be  broken,  and  his  blood  that  was 
to  be  shed  as  a  propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  world.  .\ccordIn.sb  '.ur 
Church,  following  pri'nilive  us'ige,  makes  an  oblnlion  of  the  consecrated 
bread  and  wine  in  the  ho!v  eucb'^ri't.  "  ^A^.,  »hv  humble  servints,  do 
celebrate  and  make  here,  before  thy  divine  Majesty,  with  these  thy  holy 
gifts,  -which  vje  norv  offer  unto  thee,  the  tnemorial  thy  Son  hath' com- 
manded us  to  make."  tiither  as  a  sacrifice  or  as  au  obhitinn,  the  end  of 
this  solemn  presentation  of  the  cnnsecr^tC'l  bre-^d  and  wine  to  f7od  is  the 
same,  to  plead  with  him,  that  "  by  tlie  me'-its  and  death  of  bis  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  and  through  faith  in  his  blood,"  all  the  faithful  members  of  hk 
Church  may  "  obtam  remission  of  their  sins,  -nd  all  other  )>enefits  of  his 
passion.'*     See  the  prayer  of  consecratioti  in  ihe  communion  office. 

t  He  that  eateth  my  flesh,  and  drinketh  mr  blood,  dwelleth  in  me,  an/f 
1  in  him.    John  vi.  5o. 


20  The  Sacrament  of  the 

and  gracious  goodness  toward  us  ;*  that  we 
are  very  memhtrs  incorporate  in  the  myistical 
body  of  his  Son,t  which  is  the  blessed  com- 
pany of  all  faithful  people ;  and  also  heirs 
through  hope  of  his  everlasting  kingdom,  by 
the  merits  of  the  most  precious  death  and 
passion  of  his  dear  Son.f 

We  are  taught  by  the  Church,  that  it  is 
required  of  those  icho  come  to  the  Lord^s 
Supper  to  examine  themselves,  whether  they 
repent  them  truJij  of  their  former  sins,  stead- 
fasthj  purposing  to  had  a  new  life,  have  a 
lively  faith  in  God^s  mercy  through  Christ, 
with  a  thankfid  remembrance  of  his  death, 
and  he  in  charity  with  all  men.  All  persons 
are  to  examine  into  the  state  of  their  souls 
before  they  coaie  to  the  Lord's  Supper;  be- 
cause without  repentance  we  are  not  capable 
of  that  pardon  which  is  here  offered  us:§  and 
it  is  hy  faith  that  we  discern  the  Lord's  body 
in  this  sacrament,  and  receive  the  spiritual 
benefits  it  is  designed  to  convey. || 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  not  instituted  for  the 
nourishment  of  the  body,  but  for  the  refresh- 
ment of  the  soul;  the  soul  therefore  must  be 
put  in  a  proper  disposition  to  receive  it,  and 

•  He  that  sp^rpd  not  lii=;  own  Son.  butflelivcred  }iim  up  for  us  al!,  how 
shall  he  not  with  him  also  freely  ^ive  us  ail  thincjs  ?     Jiom.  viij.  .32. 

f  For  we  are  m.etn!jtrs  of  kis  hody,  oi'  his  flesh,  and  of  his  bones. 
Eph.  V .  .'.0. 

i-  And  this  is  the  record,  that  God  hatli  given  lo  us  eternal  life,  and 
this  lif':"  is  in  h»s  Son.     1  John  v.  II. 

^  Therefore  let  ns  keep  the  feast,  not  Mith  old  leaven,  njeiih  r  with, 
♦  he  leaven  of  mdice  and  wickedness;  but  with  the  unleavened  bread  of 
stnct-rity  and  truth.     1  Cor.  v.  8. 

[]  I  said  therefore  unto  you,  That  ye  shdl  die  in  your  sins;  for  if  ye 
believe  not  that  I  am  He,  ye  shall  die  in  vour  sins.    John  viii.  24. 


Lord's  Supper  explained.  21 

feed  upon  it.  It  is  a  liTehj  represeritation  of 
the  death  of  Christ  for  the  sms  of  mankind ; 
and  therefore  the  soul  must  possess  a  just 
sense  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ  and  his  love 
to  mankind,  and  also  an  humble  and  lively 
faith,  and  hojje  in  his  merits.  It  is  an  office 
of  jy^'aise  and  thanksgiving  for  the  greatest 
blessings  ;  redemption  from  eternal  death ; 
restoration  to  the  favour  of  God,  and  a  title 
to  everlasting  life:  to  celebrate  it  aright^ 
therefore,  we  must  come  prepared  with  a  due 
sense  both  of  the  extreme  misery  of  our  con- 
dition without  a  Redeemer^  and  also  of  the 
blessings  and  benefits  to  which  we  are  entitled 
through  Christ.  It  is  also  a  memorial  of  our 
deliverance  from  the  power  of  sin,  and  is  the 
means  by  which  we  become  partakers  of  the 
spirit  of  God:  we  should  therefore  bring  with 
us  to  this  ordinance  not  only  a  icilUngness, 
but  a  desire  for  deliverance  from  the  poiver  of 
our  sins,  and  for  the  assistance  of  God's  hohj 
spirit  to  subdue  them,  with  firm  resolutions 
to  imjyrove  his  grace.  In  this  holy  sacrament 
we  behold  the  supreme  claim  which  Christ 
has  to  our  homage  and  obedience,  since  he 
bought  us  with  the  j^^icf^  of  his  own  blood; 
and  therefore  we  cannot  partake  of  this  or- 
dinance aright,  without  a  just  sense  of  our 
obligations  to  serve  and  obey  him  as  our  Lord 
and  Master,  and  without  resigning  ourselves 
to  his  will.  The  holy  sacrament,  under  the 
most  impressive  and  affecting  emblems,  sets 
before  us  the  covenant  of  tneixy  and  pardo% 


22  The  Sacrament  of  the 

to  which  God  is  pleased  to  admit  mankind, 
on  condition  of  their  repentance  and  amend- 
ment; and  hence  arises  the  indispensable 
necessity  of  repenting  of  our  past  sins,  and 
entering  into  resolutions  of  obedience  for  the 
future.  In  this  holy  supper  we  hold  commu- 
nion  with  our  felloic  Christians,  as  brethren, 
and  members  of  the  same  body  under  Christ 
our  head  ;  and  hence  it  follows,  that  love  and 
unity  must  be  necessary  qualifications  for  a 
right  participation  of  this  sacred  ordinance. 

There  are  some  persons  who  are  deterred 
from  this  holy  supper  by  the  apprehension  of 
the  peril  ofumcorthy  receiving,^  The  danger 
indeed  is  great  to  those  who  will  presume  to 
eat  tiiis  bread,  and  drink  this  cup  of  the  Lord, 
rashly  and  unadvisedly.  But  their  guilt  is  not 
less,  nor  their  situation  less  hazardous,  who 
persist  in  disobedience  to  the  last  and  dying 
command  of  their  dearest  Saviour,  and  reject 
his  invitation  to  partake  of  so  many  great  and 
spiritual  blessings,  upon  pretence  of  that  dan- 
ger, which  it  is  in  their  own  power  to  avoid, 

•  The  peril  of  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper  untoorthily  is  heightened 
in  the  apprehensions  of  some  persons,  hy  the  derlaration  of  St.  Paul, 
(1  Cor.  xi  29.)  He  that  eateth  and  drinketh  xinworthilii,  cateth  and 
drinketh  d^omiation  to  himself.  But  it  is  to  be  observer),  that  the  woi\J 
damnation  does  not  signify  eternal  condem'nation,  but  (as  it  is  transited 
in  the  margin  of  the  Hible)  temporal  ju^/^mcr?/.  And  the  tinioorthy  re- 
ceiving,  for  which  the  Corinthian^  were  afflicted  with  temporal  jM^/g*- 
inents,  such  as  sickness  and  death,  (ver.  30.)  consisted  in  their  making 
no  distinction  between  the  Lord's  Siupper  and  a  common  meal.  They 
did  not  discern  the  Lord's  body,  (ver.  29.)  They  abused  and  profaned 
this  solemn  institution  hy  gluttony  and  drunkenness,  (ver.  21.  22.)  and 
by  contentious  and  factious  behaviour,  (ver.  18.)  Christians,  in  the  pre- 
sent day,  therefore,  unless  they,  in  the  same  way  with  the  Corinthians, 
contemn  and  profane  the  Lord's  Supper,  cannot  be  guilty  of  that  un- 
loorthy  receiving  mentioned  by  St.  Paul,  for  which  the  Corinthians  susr 
tained  not  eternal  condemnation,  but  temporal  judgment. 


Lord^s  Supper  explained,  23 

Onr  safety,  therefore,  consists  in  resolving  to 
do  the  duty  required,  and  to  take  the  best  care 
so  to  prepare  ourselves,  that  the  performance 
may  be  accepted  by  God.^ 

The  first  duty  required  of  those  who  come 
to  the  Lord's  Supper,  is  to  repent  them  traly 
of  their  former  sins.  We  should  examine 
our  lives  and  conversations  by  the  rule  of  God's 
commandments  ;f  and  whereinsoever  we  shall 
perceive  ourselves  to  have  offended,  either  by 
will,  word,  or  deed,  there  we  must  bewail  our 
own  sinfulness,t  and  confess  our  guilt  to  Al» 
mighty  God.§ 

Having  examined  our  lives  and  confessed 
our  transgressions,  and  humbled  ourselves  un- 
der the  sense  ofournatural  depravity  and  ac- 
tual guilt,  we  should  then  turn  our  thoughts 
upon  the  only  means  by  which  we  can  be  re- 
deemed from  our  sin  and  reconciled  to  God. 
The  means  of  our  deliverance  from  sin,  and 
restoration  to  the  divine  favour,  are  provided 
in  the  plan  of  salvation  through  Jesus  Christ, 
In  him  ice  have  redemption,  even  the  forgive- 
ness of  our  sins,  (Col.  i.  14.)  Him  hath  God 
set  forth  to  be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins, 
(Rom.  iii.  25.)     He  is  the  Mediator  heticeen 

•  But  let  a  man  examine  himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread  and 
drink  of  that  cup.     1  Cor.  xi.  28. 

■f  Let  us  search  and  try  our  ways,  and  turn  again  to  the  Lord.  Lanu 
iii.  40. 

%  Now  I  rejoice,  not  that  ye  were  made  sorry,  but  that  ye  sorrowed  to 
repentance.  For  godly  sorrow  worketh  repentance  to  salvation,  not  to 
be  repented  of:  but  the  sorrow  of  the  worid  worketh  death.  2  Cor.  vii. 
§,  10. 

$  For  I  acknowledge  my  traasg^essions ;  and  ray  sin  is  erer  before  me. 
Pialm  li.  3. 


24  The  Sacrament  of  the 

God  and  man.  He  gave  him'^^elf  a  ransom 
for  all,  (1  Tim.  ii.  5,  6  )  I^q  \%  our  Advocate 
with  the  Father,  (1  John  ii.  1.)  By  liig  det-th 
we  are  reconciled  to  God,  (Rom.  v.  10.)  He 
has  made  our  peace  with  the  Father  through 
ifie  blood  of  his  cross,  (Col.  i.  20.) 

It  is  a  comfort  to  us,  under  the  burden  of 
our  sins,  to  consider,  not  only  that  we  have  a 
Saviour  and  Redeemer,  but  that  he  has  given 
humble  and  penitent  si7iners  the  most  gracious 
invitations  and  encouragements  to  come  to  him 
for  pardon  and  salvation.  Come  unto  me, 
says  the  blessed  Jesus,  (Mat.  xi.  28.)  all  ye 
that  labour,  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will 
give  you  rest.  He  that  cometh  to  me,  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  out,  (John  vi.  37.)  And  he 
tenderly  declares,  (Luke  v.  32.)  that  he  came 
into  the  world  on  pijrpose  to  call  sinners  to 
repentance ;  and  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which 
was  lost,  (Luke  xix.  10.) 

The  consideration  of  these  gracious  decla- 
rations, and  of  our  own  vihness  and  miser y^ 
"will  prepare  us  to  come  to  Christ  with  a  true 
and  lively  faith;  neither  trusting  to  our  own 
merits,  nor  distrusting  the  mercies  of  God, 
but  casting  ourselves  wholly  upo?i  the  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ;  in  a  steadfast  reliance  that 
through  his  blood  we  shall  receive  the  remis- 
sion of  our  sins  and  shall  have  peace  with 
God. 

But  then  we  must  remember  that  the  re- 
demption of  Christ  consists  in  his  delivering 
us  nut  only  from  the  guilt  of  our  past  trans- 


Lord^s  Supper  explained.  25 

gressions,  but  also  from  the  poicer  and  domi- 
nion of  sin.  Christ  gave  himself  for  tiSy  not 
only  that  he  might  ixdeem  us  from  all  in- 
iquity, but  iikewise  that  he  might  j^ur if  ij  us 
unto  himself  a  peculiar  people  zealous  of  good 
works,  (Heb.  ix.  14.)  He  was  manifested,  not 
only  to  take  aicay  our  sins,  but  also  by  his 
blood  to  j?zfcr^c  our  consciences  from  dead 
vjorks,  to  serve  the  living  God,  TTitus  ii.  14.) 
INo  persons  then  must  hope  for  any  benefit 
from  the  death  of  Christ,  but  they  who  will 
Vd\e  the  redemption  which  he  wrought,  whole 
and  entire;  and  receive  him  as  a  Haviour,  not 
only  from  the  guilt  but  from  tiie  dominion  of 
sin.  No  one  must  hope  for  the  pardon  of 
his  sins  but  he  who  sincerely  desires  lo  be 
delivered  from  their  dominion. 

And  therefore  having  begun  the  work  of 
repentance,  in  the  confession  of  our  trans- 
gressions and  the  humiliation  of  our  souls, 
we  must  continue  and  perfect  it,  by  solemnly 
professing,  in  the  presence  of  God,  our  earn- 
est desires  to  be  delivered  from  the  j^oicer  of 
sin,  and  our  resolutions,  through  the  assist- 
ance  of  his  grace,  to  forsake  ungodliness  and 
worldly  lusts,  (Titus  ii.  11,  12.)  and  to  live 
soberly,  righteously,  and  godly,  while  he  shall 
please  to  continue  us  in  this  world. 

When,  upon  examination,  w^e  can  humbly 
trust  that  we  truly  and  earnestly  repent  of 
our  sms,  and  are  in  love  and  charity  with  our 
neighbours,  and  intend  to  lead  a  new  life, 
following  the  commandments  of  God,  and 
c 


26  The  Lord^s  Supper  explained, 

walking  in  his  holy  ways,  we  must  then  draw 
near  without  fear,*  and  take  the  holy  sacra- 
ment to  our  comfort;  in  firm  faith  that  Al- 
mighty God,  for  the  sake  of  our  blessed  Re- 
deemer, and  the  merits  of  his  death,  will 
mercifully  pardon  us,  and  graciously  receive 
us  as  worthy  communicants. 

We  should  behave  with  all  possible  rever- 
ence and  devotion,  when  we  present  ourselves 
amongst  our  brethren  who  come  to  feed  on 
the  banquet  of  that  most  heavenly  food.  With 
hearts  impressed  with  penitence,  with  faith, 
with  reverence  and  love,  we  should,  at  the 
altar,  give  most  humble  and  hearty  thanks  to 
God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
for  all  the  blessings  vouchsafed  unto  us,  but 
especially  for  the  redemption  of  the  world, 
by  the  death  and  passion  of  our  Saviour 
Christ,  both  God  and  man. 

•  For  Gnd  hftth  not  given  us  the  spirit  of  fear ;  but  of  po^er,  and  of 
Ibve,  and  of  a  sound  mind.    2  Tim.  i.  7. 


THE 

WEEK'S   PREPARATION. 
MOJTDAY  MORNING. 


MEDITATION. 

The  Obligation  of  receiving  the  Holy  Communion  stated ;  and  the  various 
Pretences  for  neglecting  it,  considered  and  refuted. 

The  holy  eucharist  is  the  highest  act  of 
Christian  worship.  It  is  the  memorial  of  the 
passion  and  death  of  our  blessed  Redeemer, 
made  before  the  Almighty  Father,  to  render 
him  propitious  to  us,  by  pleading  with  him 
the  meritorious  sufferings  of  his  beloved  Son. 
It  is  a  sensible  pledge  of  God's  love  to  us. 
He  hath  given  his  Son  to  die  for  us.  He  hath 
also  given  the  precious  body  and  blood  of 
Christ,  to  be  our  spiritual  food  and  susten- 
ance. The  bread  of  this  world,  frequently 
taken,  is  necessary  to  keep  the  body  in  health 
and  vigour.  This  bread  of  God,  frequently 
received,  is  necessary  to  preserve  the  soul  in 
spiritual  health ;  and  to  keep  the  divine  life 
of  faith  and  holiness  from  becoming  extinct. 

An  ordinance  of  so  sublime  a  nature,  fruit- 
ful of  such  inestimable  blessings,  and  enjoined 
on  us  by  that  blessed  Redeemer  who  laid 
down  his  life  for  us,  one  would  suppose  would 


28  Monday  Morning, 

be  highly  valued,  and  gratefully  received,  by 
all  who  profess  themselves  Christians.  It  is, 
however,  a  lamentable  truth,  that  the  greater 
proportion  of  them  live  in  the  habitual  neglect 
of  this  distinguishing  badge  of  their  holy  pro- 
fession, the  ordinance  which  unites  them  to 
their  Redeemer,  and  which  is  the  invaluable 
seal  and  pledge  of  his  mercy  and  grace. 

Thou  art  urged,  O  my  soul,  to  receive  the 
holy  communion  by  the  obligations  of  duty , 
of  gratitude,  and  oiinterest. 

Duty  urges  thee  ;  Christ,  the  Lord,  and 
Saviour,  has  commanded  thee  to  receive  the 
communion,  in  remembrance  of  his  death 
and  passion.  "  Do  this,"  says  he,  "  in  remem- 
brance' of  liie,"  (Luke  xxii.  19.)  Are  w^e  not 
bound  to  revere  and  cherish,  with  the  most 
sacred  fervour,  the  command  of  a  dying 
friend!  And  shall  we  be  insensible  to  the 
pressing  injunction  gf  our  Lord  and  Master, 
who,  at  the  moment  wlien  he  was  about  to 
lay  down  his  life  for  us,  even  for  us  who  were 
his  enemies,  commanded  us  to  commemorate 
his  infinite  love  \ 

The  powerful  claims  of  gratitude  urge 
obedience  to  his  command.  Transcendent 
were  the  love  and  compassion  which  he  dis- 
played for  us.  "  The  Son  of  God,  the  bright- 
ness of  the  Father's  glory,  humbled  himself 
even  to  the  death  upon  the  cross  for  us,  mis- 
erable sinners,  who  lay  in  darkness  and  the 
shadow  of  death."  He  instituted  and  ordained 
holy  mysteries,  as  pledges  of  his  infinite  love, 


Monday  Morning,  29 

and  for  a  continual  remembrance  of  his  death 
and  passion.  And  shall  we  not  gratefully 
commemorate  his  love  towards  us,  in  the  way 
that  he  hath  appointed  1  Shall  we  refuse  to 
render  him  even  the  tribute  of  thanks  for  the 
inconceivable  sufferings  which  he  endured  for 
us,  and  for  the  inestimable  blessings  which 
he  purchased  for  us  ]  By  neglecting  the  in- 
stituted memorial  of  his  love  and  mercy,  O 
my  soul,  thou  dost  say  to  thy  blessed  Re- 
deemer, I  cherish  no  sensibility  for  thy  suffer- 
ings; I  care  not,  though  the  displays  of  thine 
infinite  love  be  forgotten ;  I  set  no  value  on 
the  infinite  condescensions  of  thy  mercy. 
Pause  and  reflect,  O  my  soul,  if  thou  dost 
neglect  this  sacred  ordinance,  how  great  is 
the  guilt  of  ingratitude  which  thou  wilt  incur. 
But  if  duty  does  not  impel,  if  gratitude 
cannot  excite  thee,  listen,  at  least,  to  the  calls 
oi  interest.  Consider  how  many  inestimable 
benefits  are  annexed  to  this  ordinance.  The 
pardon  of  sin;  the  assistance  and  consola- 
tions of  Godh  Holy  Spirit ;  and  an  earnest 
and  pledge  of  a  glorious  resurrection  to  eter- 
nal life,  are  the  benefits  assured  to  us  by  a 
worthy  participation  of  the  body  and  blood 
of  Christ.  When,  therefore,  we  absent  our- 
selves from  the  holy  sacrament,  we  wilfully 
deprive  ourselves  of  the  greatest  blessings 
Shall  not,  then,  the  powerful  considerations 
oi  interest  urge  us  worthily  to  partake  of  an 
ordinance  which  rescues  us  from  the  guilt  of 
sin,  from  the  curse  of  God,  from  everlasting 

C  2 


30  Monday  Mqrmtig. 

wo  ?  Shall  we  deliberately  contemn  the  fa- 
vour of  G.od,  the  consolations  and  powerful 
operations  of  his  Spirit,  and  the  immortal 
felicities  of  his  heavenly  kingdom  1  Not  less 
is  the  folly  than  the  guilt  of  neglecting  this 
inestimable  pledge  of  divine  mercy,  of  grace, 
of  immortal  life  and  glory. 

Wilt  thou  urge,  O  my  soul,  the  cares  of  the 
world  as  an  excuse  for  not  coming  to  the  holy 
communionl    What !    art  thou  so   engaged 
with  worldly  business,   that  thou   canst   not 
find  time  to  approach  this  heavenly  institu- 
tion'?   Ah!  remember,  they  who  were  bidden 
to  the  supper  in  the  Gospel,  (Luke  xiv.  16.) 
excused  themselves  from  coming,  on  the  pre- 
tence of  their  worldly  occupations  ;  and  they 
were  pronounced  unworthy  of  the  heavenly 
feast,  because  they  thus  preferred  their  tem- 
poral business  to  their  eternal  welfare.     No 
man  is  rendered  unfit  for  receiving  the  holy 
sacrament,  who  pursues  tlie  occupations  of 
life  with  moderation  and  honesty^  with  a  due 
regard  to  the  laws  of  God,  and  his  good  pro- 
vidence   over   us.     Whoever   pursues   thenrt 
otherwise,    disqualifies   himself  for   heaven. 
The  hearts  of  men  are  apt  lo  dwell  too  much 
upon  the  things  of  this  world,  and  to  be  en-, 
grossed  with  its  cares  and  concerns,     God. 
has,  therefore,  mercifully  provided  the  ordin- 
ances of  the  Gospel,  to  raise  our  souls  from 
the  earth,  and  to  replenish  them  with  hea- 
venly thoughts  and  desires.     It  is  necessary,, 
therefore,  that  all  Christians  should  attend 


Monday  Mornmg,  31 

on  the  ordinances  of  religion,  in  order  that 
such  devout  emotions,  such  a  desire  for  hea- 
venly enjoynients,  rnay  be  excited  in  their 
minds,  as  shall  prevent  them  from  being 
buried  in  the  cares  and  pursuits  of  this  hfe. 

Art  thou  deterred  from  the  holy  commu- 
nion, O  my  soul,  by  a  sense  of  thy  unworthi- 
ness  \  But  this  sense  of  thy  unworthiness, 
when  it  produces  a  resolution  to  forsake  thy 
sins,  is  the  first  qualification  of  a  devout  com- 
municant; for  it  is  the  first  step  towards  re- 
conciliation with  God.  Jesus  Christ  particu- 
larly invites  those  who  are  weary  and  heavy 
laden  with  the  burden  of  their  sins,  and  earn- 
estly desire  to  be  delivered  from  them,  to 
come  unto  him  and  receive  rest.  And  to 
these  humble  penitents  does  he  dispense,  in 
his  holy  sapper,  pardon,  comfort,  and  spiritual 
strength. 

Art  thgu  afraid,  O  my  soul',  to  come  to  the 
holy  table,  because  in  the  daily  business  of 
the  world  thou  art  surrounded  with  tempta- 
tions which  may  lead  thee  to  break  thy  solemn 
resolutions !  The  lawful  business  of  life  never 
exposes  men  to  temptations,  which  they  can- 
not, through  the  assistance  of  God's  orrace> 
overcome  by  care  and  watchfulness.  A  view 
of  the  temptations  to  which  thou  art  exposed, 
should  lead  thee  to  the  table,  of  the  Lord,  for 
new  supplies  of  spiritual  strength  to  resist 
them. 

Art  thoa deterred  from  this  holy  sacrament, 
Q  my  soul,  by  tlie  apprehension  that  sin  com 


32  Monday  Morning, 

mitted  after  receiving  it,  will  never  be  for- 
given \  Do  not  thus  impiously  distrust  the 
mercy  of  God.  Through  the  frailty  of  thy 
nature,  and  the  manifold  temptations  which 
encompass  thee,  thou  dost  frequently  trans- 
gress, and  fall  short  of  thy  duty.  Thou  hast, 
therefore,  the  greater  need  of  that  mercy, 
and  those  succours  of  grace,  which  are  con- 
veyed in  the  holy  eucharist  to  the  humble  and 
penitent.  Be  watchful  over  thy  ways ;  pray 
for  the  grace  of  God  to  enable  thee  to  perform 
thy  vows  of  obedience  to  him;  strive  to  get 
the  mastery  over  thy  sinful  passions ;  and 
then  come  with  humble  confidence  to  that 
holy  supper  which  seals  to  thee  the  gracious 
assurance  that  thou  hasi  an  Advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous,  and 
that  he  is  the  propitiation  for  thy  sins.  Fre- 
quent commemoration  of  the  love  of  thy 
Redeemer  in  the  holy  communion  \yill  tend 
to  cherish  all  thy  pious  graces,  and  especially 
that  lively  faith  in  his  mercy  which  will  pro- 
duce peace  of  conscience,  and  joy  in  the  fa- 
vour of  thy  God. 

Do  not  delay  thy  reception  of  the  Lord's 
Supj)er  in  the  presumptuous  expectation  of 
beincr  able  to  receive  it  on  the  bed  of  death. 
Alas!  how  canst  ihou  prepare  for  this  holy 
ordinance  amidst  the  pains  and  agonies  of  a 
dying  bed  1  How  canst  thou  be  certain,  that 
death  will  not  suddenly  arrest  thee]  Do  not 
flatter  thyself  with  the  uncertain  hope  of 
length  of  days,  or  of  such  warning  of  death 


Monday  Morning.  o3 

as  will  enable  thee  to  prepare  for  its  sum- 
mons.  Enter  in  earnest,  and  without  delay, 
on  the  business  of  salvation.  Inform  thyself 
in  the  nature  of  the  holy  communion.  Make 
suitable  preparation  for  receiving  it.  Partake 
frequently  of  this  heavenly  banquet,  during 
the  period  of  health.  Thus  accustomed  to 
the  duties  and  exercises  of  the  Christian  life, 
thou  wilt  be  fitted  to  receive  the  holy  eucha- 
rist  during  sickness,  or  on  a  dying  bed,  as 
thy  support  at  this  trying  hour,  as  the  seal  of 
God's  pardon,  as  the  pledge  of  thy  triumphant 
passage  through  the  grave  and  gate  of  death 
to  immortal  blessedness  and  glory. 

Vain  are  all  the  pretences  which  would 
keep  thee  from  the  table  of  the  Lord.  By 
neglect  of  this  holy  institution,  thou  wilt  for- 
feit inestimable  blessings,  thou  wult  incur  the 
heaviest  guilt.  To  work  out  thy  salvation,  is 
the  one  thing  needful  ;  to  secure  immortal 
blessedness,  an  object  of  supreme  import- 
ance. In  tender  compassion,  the  Redeemer 
hath  provided,  in  his  holy  supper,  the  means 
of  thy  reconciliation  to  thy  offended  God,  and 
of  thy  restoration  to  holiness  and  glory.  Im- 
pressed with  his  infinite  goodness,  and  earn- 
estly desirous  to  be  partaker  of  his  salvation, 
resolve  to  commemorate  his  love  in  his  holy 
supper;  and  receiving  in  penitence  and  faith, 
the  symbols  of  his  body  and  blood,  becomq 
partaker  of  his  mercy,  his  grace,  his  everlastr 
ing  glory. 


34  Monday  Morning. 

THE  PRAYER. 

Suited  particularly  to  the  State  of  a  Person  who,  having  lived  in  forgetful- 
ness  of  God,  and  in  the  neglect  of  his  Christian  Obligations,  is  awakened 
to  a  sense  of  his  Cuilt  and  Danger,  and  is  desii-ous  to  seal  his  Pardon 
and  lleconciliation  with  God,  in  the  Holy  Sacrament. 

O  Lord  God,  to  whom  I  am  bound  by  the 
most  powerful  and  endearing  ties  !  For  thou 
art  the  author  and  preserver  of  my  being,  the 
source  of  all  my  mercies,  my  everlasting  Re- 
deemer and  Judge  :  Thou  hast  lighted  up  in 
my  soul  those  immortal  powers,  by  which  I 
am  rendered  capable  of  the  fruition  of  thee, 
the  fountain  of  perfection  and  bliss.  Thy  gra- 
cious Providence  has  conducted  me  through 
the  dangers  and  trials  of  life : — thy  rich  bounty 
has  supplied  all  my  wants,  and  crowned  my 
lot  with  mercy  and  loving-kindness  ; — thy  un- 
merited grace  has  offered  to  me  the  blessings 
of  everlasting  life  and  redemption.  O  my 
God !  I  acknowledge,  that  the  sincere  and 
ardent  service  of  my  past  life,  would  have 
been  a  feeble  return  to  thee,  for  thine  infinite 
love.  With  shame  I  confess,  that  even  this 
inadequate  tribute  has  been  withheld  from 
thee.  With  shame  I  confess,  that  though 
the  solemn  engagements  of  Baptism  were 
imposed  upon  me,  and  its  quickening  grace 
conferred ;  though  the  fountain  of  thy  mercy 
has  been  opened  to  me,  in  the  sacrament  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  thy  Son ;  though  the 
sacred  obligations  and  exalted  rewards  of  thy 
service  have  been  continually  displayed  to  me, 
in  the  ministrations  of  the  sanctuary ;  though 


Monday  Morning,  35 

thy  Providence  has  called,  thy  Holy  Spirit 
warned  me,  I  have  yet  continued  insensible 
to  the  claims  of  thy  love,  to  my  own  highest 
duty  and  happiness.  O  Lord,  1  have  violated 
the  most  solemn  obligations.  1  have  been 
insensible  to  the  most  exalted  privileges.  I 
have  resisted  the  solicitations  of  thy  grace, 
though  urged  by  the  precious  blood  of  thy 
beloved  Son,  which  was  poured  forth  a  sacri- 
fice for  my  sins.  For  ever  blessed  be  thy 
long-suffering  mercy,  O  my  God  !  that  thou 
hast  not  given  me  up  to  the  fruit  of  my  own 
ways,  that  thou  hast  not  inflicted  upon  me  the 
punishment  due  to  my  ingratitude  and  guilt. 
Blessed  be  that  grace,  Almighty  God,  which 
has  awakened  me  to  an  apprehension  of  my 
guilt  and  danger,  to  a  sense  of  thine  infinite 
claims  to  my  homage  and  obedience.  O  do 
thou  strengthen  my  desires  of  returning  unto 
thee  ;  my  humble  but  earnest  resolutions  of 
choosing  thee,  as  my  satisfying  portion.  And 
for  as  much  as  thou  hast  opened  lo  the  humble 
and  penitent,  in  the  holy  sacrament  of  the 
altar,  the  renovating  fountain  of  grace  and 
mercy,  let  me  not  neglect  this  endearing 
pledge  of  my  Saviour's  love.  Prepare  my 
heart,  by  the  powerful  influence  of  thy  grace, 
for  worthily  receiving  the  crucified  body  and 
blood  of  my  blessed  Lord.  Awaken  my  con- 
trition, quicken  my  faith,  enliven  my  love, 
confirm  my  resolutions  of  obedience;  that 
going  to  the  altar,  relying  on  my  Redeemer's 
merits  and  his  righteousness,  I  may  obtain 


36  Monday  Evening, 

reconciliation  with  thee,  my  God — may  re- 
ceive supplies  of  that  quickening  grace,  which 
will  concluct  me  through  the  sorrows  and 
temptations  of  this  mortal  pilgrimage,  to  the 
blissful  fruition,  in  the  heavenly  Zion,  of  the 
everlasting  glories  of  the  Godhead ;  to  whom, 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  my  almighty 
Creator,  my  merciful  Redeemer,  my  eternal 
Sanctifier,  be  ascribed  all  power  and  might, 
majesty  and  dominion,  henceforth  and  for 
ever.     Amen, 

MOSTDAY   EVENING. 


MEDITATION. 

The  Christian  directfed  in  the  serious  Examination  of  his  Spiritual  Charac- 
ter and  State,  as  preparatory  to  his  receiving  the  Holy  Conmiuninn. 

Wise  is  the  choice  thou  hast  made,  O  my 
soul,  to  serve  thy  God  ;  wise  thy  resolution 
to  commemorate,  in  the  holy  eucharist,  the 
infinite  love  of  thy  Saviour,  who,  by  his  death, 
purchased  thy  redemption,  and  offers  thee, 
in  that  holy  ordinance,  all  the  inestimable 
blessings  of  his  passion. 

But  recollect,  O  my  soul,  that  if  thou  dost 
advance,  impenitent,  to  the  supper  of  thy 
Lord,  he  will  not  accept  thee  as  his  guest ; 
thou  wilt  not  be  nourished  with  that  spiritual 
food  which  diffuses  its  life-giving  power  only 
through  the  heart  of  the  penitent  believer. 
The  c^aviour  withholds  the  blessings  of  his 
grace  from  those  who,  unafiected  with  the 


Monday  Evening.  37 

condescensions  of  his  mercy,  and  insensible 
to  iheir  own  weakness  and  demerit,  approach 
his  altar  witli  impenitent  and  unmortified 
hearts. 

Unless,  therefore,  I  come  to  the  altar  cher- 
ishing a  lively  sense  of  the  weakness  and  sin- 
fulness of  my  heart,  by  which  1  have  been 
led  to  transgress  the  holy  laws  of  my  God ; 
deeply  sensible  that  the  only  pledge  of  my 
forgiveness  is  the  meritorious  atonement  of 
my  Saviour ;  and  steadfastly  resolving  that, 
by  the  aids  of  his  grace,  I  will  renounce  all 
my  sins,  and  faithfully  serve  him  :  unless  I 
come  to  the  altar  in  this  character  of  an  hum- 
ble penitent,  I  must  not  hope  to  partake  of 
the  blessings  of  salvation  ;  or  to  experience 
those  divine  joys,  those  strengthening  suc- 
cours, which  refresh  the  souls  of  those  who, 
by  a  true  and  lively  faith,  spiritually  feed  on 
the  body  and  blood  of  their  crucified  Re- 
deemer. 

To  prepare  then  for  partaking  of  this  holy 
ordinance,  and  to  secure  the  inestimable  bless- 
ings which  are  dispensed  in  it  to  penitent  be- 
lievers, I  must  impartially  search  my  heart, 
and  faithfully  examine  the  course  of  my  life, 
in  order  to  ascertain  my  spiritual  character 
and  state. 

Dispose  me  earnestly  and  seriously  to  enter 
on  this  examination.  Almighty  God  ;  impress 
on  me  the  infinite  importance  of  determining 
the  state  of  my  soul — whether  I  am  at  peace 
with  thee,  through  penitence  and  faith  in  the 

D 


38  Monday  Evening, 

blood  of  tliy  Son;  or  am  obnoxious,  through 
unrepented  sin,  to  thy  just  displeasure.  En- 
able me,  with  faithfulness,  to  search  my  heart, 
knowing  that  my  eternal  destiny  depends  on 
the  issue.  Thy  powerful  grace  only  can  de- 
tect the  errors  of  my  life,  and  strip  from  my 
heart  the  veil  of  self-love  which  conceals  its 
vices.  Do  thou,  therefore,  O  God,  try  me, 
and  seek  the  ground  of  mine  heart ;  prove  me, 
and  examine  my  thoughts,  and  see  if  there  be 
any  evil  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way 
everlasting. 

As  in  thy  presence,  and  exposed  to  thy  in- 
spection, O  thou  God,  who  searchest  the 
heart,  who  canst  not  be  deceived,  and  who 
wilt  not  be  mocked, — as  before  thy  tribunal, 
O  thou  Sovereign  Judge  of  men,  who  wilt 
bring  to  light  every  secret  thing,  whether  it 
be  good,  or  whether  it  be  evil,  do  T  now  seri- 
ously enter  on  the  examination  of  the  condi- 
tion of  my  soul.  Impress  on  my  heart,  O 
God,  by  thy  Holy  Spirit,  the  solemn  inquiries 
which  I  now  make.  May  I  faithfully  answer 
them  to  my  own  conscience,  as  I  shall  cer- 
tainly have  to  answer  them  at  thy  tribunal, 
to  thee,  my  Almighty  Judge. 

Am  I  a  member  of  the  Church  of  Christ, 
which  he  purcliased  with  his  blood,  which  lie 
sanctifies  with  his  Spirit,  and  which,  accord- 
ing to  his  sovereign  pleasure,  is  made  the 
channel  of  his  covenanted  mercies  to  a  fallen 
world  ? 


Monday  Evening.  39 

Have  I  been  admitted  to  the  participation 
of  the  inestimable  privileges  of  this  Church, 
to  a  title  to  the  forgiveness  of  sin,  to  the  fa- 
vour of  God,  to  the  aids  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
to  an  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven ; 
by  that  ordinance,  which  Jesus  Christ,  its 
divine  head,  instituted,  the  holy  sacrament  of 
Baptism  1 

Do  I  keep  up  my  communion  with  this 
Church,  by  devout  submission  to  the  minis- 
trations of  its  priesthood  in  the  orders  of  Bi- 
shops, Priests,  and  Deacons,  deriving  their 
authority  by  regular  transmission  from  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Redeemer  and  Head  of  the  Church, 
who  has  promised  to  be  with  the  ministers  of 
apostolic  succession  "  always,  even  to  the  end 
of  the  world  I" 

Have  I  been  diligent  in  imploring,  by  earn- 
est prayer,  the  aids  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  en- 
able me  to  fulfil  my  baptismal  vows,  ^'  to  re- 
nounce the  devil  and  all  his  works,  to  believe 
in  God,  and  to  serve  him  1" 

Have  1  ratified,  in  the  holy  rite  of  Confir- 
mation, the  vows  and  promises  of  Baptism, 
receiving,  by  the  ministry  of  Christ's  author- 
ized servant,  the  manifold  and  strengthening- 
aids  of  the  Holy  Ghost  1 

Have  all  my  violations  of  these  solemn  en- 
gagements, all  my  infirmities  and  sins,  been 
cleansed  by  repentance,  and  by  renewed  faith 
in  the  blood  of  Christ? 

Have  I  frequently  contemplated,  with  deep 
humiliation,  the  state  of  depravity  and  guilt. 


40  Monday  Evening, 

in  which  man  is  sunk,  while  destitute  of  aa 
interest  in  the  merits  of  a  Saviour  \ 

Have  I  reviewed,  with  lively  compunction, 
the  transgressions  which  have  defiled  my  con- 
science ] 

In  the  bitterness  of  my  spirit,  have  I  ac- 
knowledged the  justice  of  God  in  my  con- 
demnation^ Have  I  humbly  and  fervently 
adored  the  fulness  of  his  grace  and  mercy  in 
providing  for  me  the  means  of  redemption 
through  Jesus  Christ! 

Awakened  to  a  lively  sense  of  my  sins, 
have  I  fled,  with  earnest  supplication,  to  the 
throne  of  my  Almighty  Judge,  and  reverently 
presented  there,  as  the  only  plea  of  my  for- 
giveness, the  meritorious  blood  of  my  Re- 
deemer \ 

Has  faith  opened  to  me  the  fulness  and 
sufficiency  of  my  Saviour^s  merits,  and  con- 
veyed to  tny  troubled  conscience  rest  and 
peace  I 

Have  I  experienced  the  power  of  divine 
grace,  in  awakening  my  sensibility  to  the  evil 
and  guilt  of  sin,  to  the  excellence  and  rewards 
of  holiness,  and  in  exciting  the  resolution  to 
renounce  all  the  dictates  of  my  corrupt  nature, 
and  to  devote  myself  to  my  God  and  Saviour, 
in  the  services  of  a  holy  life  \ 

Am  I  sincerely  desirous,  and  always  ready, 
to  partake  of  the  holy  eucharist,  thereby  to 
commemorate  the  dying  love  of  my  Re- 
deemer ;  to  testify  my  communion  with  his 
Church  and  people ;  to  plead  before  God,  for 


Monday  Evening,  41 

the  pardon  of  my  sins,  the  all-prevailing 
merits  of  his  cross  and  passion  ;  and  to  re- 
fresh and  strengthen  my  soul  with  his  most 
precious  body  and  blood  \ 


Am  I  diligent  and  faithful  in  all  the  exer- 
cises and  duties  of  the  Christian  lifel 

Am  I  uniform  and  sincere  in  the  duties  of 
private  meditation  and  prayer,  in  all  those 
pious  exercises  which  have  a  tendency  to 
strengthen  the  reign  of  grace  in  my  heart"? 

Are  the  services  of  God's  sanctuary  the 
source  of  my  most  exalted  pleasures^ 

Do  I  with  constant  and  holy  desire  wait  in 
his  sacred  courts,  that  I  may  taste  his  good- 
ness, and  experience  his  satisfying  joys? 

Sensible  of  my  own  weakness,  and  of  the 
dominion  of  sin  in  my  heart,  do  I  earnestly 
implore  the  grace  of  God,  and  constantly  rely 
on  the  powerful  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to 
sanctify  my  soul,  to  guide,  quicken,  and  pre- 
serve me  in  my  Christian  course  1 

In  reliance  on  the  aids  of  this  Holy  Spirit, 
do  I  daily  endeavour  to  weaken  and  subdue 
my  sinful  passions,  to  strengthen  and  exalt  the 
holy  graces  of  my  soull 

Does  my  humility  become  more  deep,  my 
love  to  God  more  fervent,  my  zeal  and  delight 
in  his  service  more  exalted,  my  faith  in  my 
Saviour  more  uniform  and  supreme] 

Does  my  soul  glow  with  gratitude  to  God, 
my  Almighty  Maker  and  Benefactor,  Father 

D  2 


42  Mojiday  Evening, 

and  Friend,  for  the  manifold  mercies  of  life ; 
and,  above  all,  for  the  unspeakable  gift  of  his 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  inestimable  blessings 
of  redeeming  love  1 

In  every  event  of  life,  do  I  humbly  confide 
in  his  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness,  and  com- 
mit myself  to  his  guidance  and  disposal^ 

In  prosperity  am  I  humble  and  thankful, 
mindful  that  every  advantage  of  honour  or  for- 
tune, every  talent  that  distinguishes  me  above 
others,  is  the  unmerited  gift  of  God,  which  I 
am  to  employ  for  his  glory  and  the  good  of 
my  fellow  men  I 

When  adversity  assails  me,  do  I  still  pre- 
serve my  confidence  in  God, — still  bless  the 
Lord  '^who  giveth,"  and  humbly  bow  to  the 
dispensations  of  that  infinitely  wise  and  mer- 
ciful God,  ^'  who  taketh  away  I" 

Ever  keeping  in  view  the  holy  pattern  of 
my  Saviour's  life,  which  I  am  bound  to  imi- 
tate, do  I  constantly  endeavour  to  obey  his 
gracious  commands;  to  become^  like  him, 
meek  and  gentle,  kind  and  compassionate, 
patient  and  long-suffering  I 

Animated  by  that  spirit  of  love  which  urged 
the  Saviour  to  pour  out  his  soul  a  sacrifice 
for  the  sins  of  men,  do  I  earnestly  endeavour 
to  "  do  good  unto  all  men ;"  to  sooth  the 
bosom  rent  with  affliction ;  to  restore  to  health 
and  gladness  the  subjects  of  disease  and 
poverty  1 

Sensible  of  the  inestimable  value  of  the 
blessings  of  redemption,  and  of  the  infinite 


Monday  Evening,  45 

importance  of  the  souls  of  men,  do  I  humbly 
endeavour,  by  every  proper  and  prudent  mean, 
to  promote  the  salvation  of  mankind] 

Under  an  habitual  sense  of  my  obligations 
to  God,  of  the  account  I  must  render  to  him 
who  is  the  present  witness,  and  who  will  be 
the  final  judge  of  my  conduct,  do  I  earnestly 
endeavour  faithfully  to  discharge  all  the  rela- 
tive and  social  duties  of  life,  of  husband  and 
wife,  of  parent  and  child,  of  brother  and  sis- 
ter, of  master  and  servant,  of  magistrate  and 
subject,  of  neighbour  and  friend  I 

Ever  mindful  that  my  "  body  is  the  temple 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,"  and  that  "  into  the  kingr 
dom  of  heaven  entereth  nothing  that  is  unholy 
and  unclean,"  do  I  endeavour,  by  abstinence, 
by  prayer,  by  resolution  and  watchfulness,  to 
mortify  my  sinful  passions ;  and  do  I  sedu- 
lously avoid  every  temptation  which  might  lead 
me  to  violate  the  laws  of  temperance,  sober- 
ness, and  chastity  1 

Considering  the  present  life  as  a  state  of 
pilgrimage,  the  days  of  which  are  few,  uncer- 
tain, and  evil,  am  I  careful  not  to  fix  my  af- 
fections immoderately  upon  it;  not  to  be  too 
highly  elated  with  its  pleasures,  which  may 
soon  pass  away  ;  not  to  be  too  much  depressed 
by  its  sorrows,  which  may  soon  terminate  \ 

Does  my  heavenly  inheritance,  the  eternal 
kingdom  of  God,  with  whom  there  is  fulness 
of  joy,  at  whose  right  hand  there  are  plea- 
sures for  evermore,  engage  my  devout  con- 
t^mplatipns  I 


44  Monday  Evening, 

Does  the  habitual  prospect  of  the  eternal 
glories  which  my  fSaviour  hath  prepared  for 
me  in  his  heavenly  kingdom,  animate  me  in 
the  discharge  of  duty ;  elevate  my  spirit  when 
under  the  pressure  of  grief ;  console  me  under 
the  loss  of  friends  and  relatives  ;  and  raise  me 
at  all  times  above  the  sorrows  and  trials,  the 
scorn  and  persecution  of  the  world  \ 

Is  this  my  situation  \  this  my  spiritual  cha- 
racter and  state  1  these  the  dispositions  of  my 
souH 


That  I  have  been  called,  from  the  darkness 
of  error  and  sin,  into  the  light  of  the  gospel 
of  salvation ;  and  restored  f\om  the  bondage 
of  Satan,  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons 
of  God,— 

Blessed  he  thy  name,  O  God, 

That  I  have  been  admitted  by  baptism,  into 
that  iioly  church  where  thy  mercy  is  my  solace, 
thy  favour  my  portion,  thy  grace  my  guide  and 
safeguard,  the  hope  of  heaven  my  exalted  pri- 
vilege,— 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  God, 

That,  in  condescension  to  the  weakness  of 
my  nature,  thou  hast  instituted  sensible  memo- 
rials of  thy  love,  and  pledges  of  thy  grace  and 
mercy;  that  in  the  humble  participation  of  the 
ordinances  of  thy  church  I  can  derive  light, 
comfort,  and  salvation, — 

Blessed  be  thy  narne,  O  God. 


Monday  Evening,  45 

^  The  following  paragraph,  between  brackets,  is  to  be  used  when  a 
pei-son  who  has  lived  in  transgression  rf  the  laws  cf  Go<l,  and  neglect 
of  his  Christian  obligations,  is  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  guilt  and  dan- 
ger, and  is  desirous  to  raake  bis  peace  with  his  offerided  God.  And 
then  the  succireding  paragraphs,  to  the  words  "  To  thee,  ever-blessed 
Jehovah,"  hue.  are  to  be  omitted. 

[That,  though  I  have  lived  wholly  regard- 
less of  the  inestimable  privileges  of  my  Chris- 
tian vocation  ;  though  by  my  habitual  trans- 
gressions I  have  defied  thy  power,  abused  thy 
justice,  and  contemned  thy  mercy ;  though 
the  strivings  of  thy  Spirit  have  been  exerted 
in  vain,  and  the  precious  blood  of  thy  Son 
been  in  vain  interposed  to  arrest  my  rebellious 
career  ; — that  though  my  sins  have  been  thus 
multiplied,  my  guilt  thus  aggravated,  thou 
hast  yet,  O  God  of  infinite  mercies,  displayed 
towards  me  the  riches  of  thy  forbearance ; 
that  thine  arms  are  yet  open  to  receive  the 
returning  prodigal  who  left  his  father's  house 
to  riot  in  the  pleasures  of  a  corrupting  world ; 
that  thou  dost  even  prepare  for  me,  to  be  the 
pledge  and  seal  of  my  forgiveness,  the  ban- 
quet of  the  body  and  blood  of  that  Redeemer 
whom  I  have  contemned;  and  art  ready  to 
apply  to  my  guilty  soul  my  Saviour's  merits ; 
that  thou  hast  awakened  me  to  a  sense  of  my 
guilt  and  danger,  and  inspired  me  with  an 
earnest  desire  to  enjoy  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
tenance,— 

Blessed  he  thy  name,  O  God, 

O  Lord,  arise  and  save  me,  and  let  not  in- 
iquity prove  my  ruin.] 

That  thou  hast  quickened  me  when  I  was 
careless  and  forgetful  of  thee ;   and  instead 


46  Monday  Evening. 

of  giving  me  up  to  hardness  of  heart,  to  the 
merited  punishment  of  my  sins,  hast  graci- 
ously awakened  and  restored  me ;  that  when 
sunk  under  the  *^  grievous  remembrance"  of 
my  sins,  and  bowed  down  under  their  "  in- 
tolerable burden,"  thou  didst  enlighten  my 
soul  to  discern  the  riches  of  mercy  and  grace 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  enable  me  joyfully  to 
rest  in  him  as  tcisdom  and  righteousness , 
sanctification  and  redemption, — 

Blessed  he  thy  name,  O  God. 

That  I  have  been  excited  to  choose  thee, 
O  God,  as  my  portion  ;  that  my  soul  has  been 
in  any  degree  inflamed  with  love  and  grati- 
tude to  thee,  with  trust  in  thy  power  and 
goodness  ;  that  the  graces  of  humility,  meek- 
ness, purity,  and  love  have  in  any  degree 
established  their  reign  in  my  heart ;  that  I 
have  been  anabled  to  adorn  the  doctrine  of 
God  my  Saviour,  by  a  virtuous  life,  and  to 
imitate  the  blessed  example  of  the  holy  Jesus, 
by  doing  good  unto  my  fellow  men, — 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  God. 

That  when,  from  the  infirmities  of  my  na- 
ture, or  the  predominance  of  my  sinful  pas- 
sions, I  am  led  to  forget  thee,  my  God,  to 
violate  my  vows  of  duty,  and  to  put  my  Sa- 
viour to  an  open  shame  by  my  sins, — thou 
dost  not  "  cast  me  off  for  ever,"  but  art  still 
willing  to  be  *^  entreated,"  and  to  restore  to 
me  *'  the  joy  of  thy  free  Spirit," — 

Blessed  he  thy  name,  O  God. 

That  thou  art  graciously  pleased  to  pro- 


Monday  Evening,  47 

mise  to  reward  my  imperfect  services,  with 
the  eternal  fruition  of  the  glories  of  ihy  pre- 
sence ;  that  amidst  the  carf^s,  the  occupations, 
and  the  ensnaring  pleasures  of  the  world,  I 
have  heen  enabled  to  set  my  affections  on  ihe 
felicities  of  thnt  heavenly  kingdom,  for  which, 
throutjfh  thy  uiercy,  I  am  destined, — 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  God, 

That  thou  hast  provided,  for  the  sustenance 
and  refreshment  of  my  frail  nature,  while  I 
sojourn  in  this  vale  of  infirmity  and  sin, 
celestial  food,  even  the  body  and  blood  of  thy 
crucified  Son,  spiritually  conveyed  under  the 
emblems  of  bread  and  wine ;  and  that  thou 
dost  now  invite  me  to  the  glorious  banquet 
of  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  redeem  me  by 
his  blood, — 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  God, 

O,  while  I  extol  the  wonders  of  thy  mercy, 
and  gratefully  celebrate  the  triumphs  of  thy 
grace — may  I  be  excited  to  aim  at  the  highest 
degrees  of  holiness  and  virtue,  as  becometh 
the  redeemed  of  the  Lord. 

Evermore,  O  Lord,  refresh  me  by  thy 
mercy. 

Evermore  guide  me  by  thy  grace. 


To  thee,  ever-blessed  Jehovah,  be  ascribed 
all  the  glory  and  praise  of  my  redemption. 

For  thou,  O  Almighty  Father,  didst  give 
for  me  thine  only-begotten  Son ;  thou,  O 
eternal  Son,  wast  for  me  obedient  to  the  death 


48  Monday  Evening, 

of  the  cross;  thou,  O  Holy  Ghost,  dost  apply 
to  my  soiij  the  mercies  of  redemption. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  the  fountain  of 
mercy.  Glory  be  to  the  Son,  the  Redeemer 
of  mankind.  Glory  be  to  the  Holy  Ghost, 
the  guide,  the  comforterj  and  sanctifier  of 
the  faithful. 

Blessing,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power 
be  unto  our  God,  for  ever  and  ever. 


Alas,  O  God,  the  songs  o^ praise  must  be 
exchanged  for  the  sighs  oi  contrition. 

For  to  thee,  O  Lord,  belongeth  rigteous- 
ness ;  but  unto  me  confusion  of  face — for  I 
have  violated  thy  law* 

When  1  have  done  all,  I  am  bound  to  con- 
fess that  I  am  but  an  unprofitable  servant ; 
and  must  expect  the  rewards  of  heaven  as 
the  free  gift  of  unmerited  mercy. 

How  much  more  then  am  I  bound  earnestly 
to  deprecate  the  inflictions  of  thy  justice, 
when  the  course  of  my  life  has  been  marked 
by  many  wilful  transgressions  of  thy  laws! 

I  will  confess  mine  iniquity. 

I  will  be  sorry  for  my  sins. 


A  CONFESSION  OF  SIN. 

{Frtm  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church.) 

Almighty  God,  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  Maker  of  all  things,  Judge  of  all  men ; 
I  acknowledge  and  bewail  my  manifold  sins 


J^onday  Evening.  4^ 

and  wickedness,  which  I  from  time  to  time 
most  grievously  have  committed,  by  thought, 
word,  and  deed,  against  thy  divine  majesty, 
provoking  most  justly  thy  wrath  and  indigna- 
tion against  me.  I  do  earnestly  repent,  and 
am  heartily  sorry  for  these  my  misdoings; 
the  remembrance*  of  them  is  grievous  unto 
me;  the  burden  of  them  is  intolerable.  Have 
mercy  upon  me,  have  mercy  upon  me,  most 
merciful  Father;  for  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ's 
sake  forgive  me  all  that  is  past.  To  thee 
only  it  appertaineth  to  forgive  sins  :  spare  me, 
therefore,  good  Lord,  spare  me.  My  con- 
science by  sin  is  accused — O  may  I  be  ab- 
solved by  thy  merciful  pardon.  Lamb  of  God, 
who  takesi  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  have 
mercy  upon  me!  Lamb  of  God,  who  takest 
away  the  sins  of  the  world,  grant  me  thy 
peace  !  O  God,  whose  nature  and  property 
it  is  ever  to  have  mercy  and  to  forgive,  re- 
ceive my  humble  petitions !  and  though  I  am 
lied  and  fast  bound  by  the  chain  of  my  sins, 
yet  let  the  pitifulness  of  thy  great  mercy  loose 
me,  through  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord  and  Re- 
deemer.    Amen, 


THE  SUPPLICATION. 

Blessed  Lord  !  who  art  ever  merciful  and 
gracums,  not  willing  the  death  of  a  sinner, 
but  rather  that  he  should  repent  and  live; 
and  who  hast  given  thine  only  Son  to  be  a 
propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  that 

E 


50  Monday  Evening. 

whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  everlasting  lite ;  with  the  deepest 
reverence  I  adore  thine  infinite  love.  What 
is  man,  O  Lord,  that  thou  shouldest  be  tlius 
mindful  of  him]  or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou 
shouldest  thus  mercifnlly  visit  him  1  O  God, 
I  confess  and  lament  that  1  have  been  insen- 
sible to  the  claims  of  thy  love,  and,  by  my 
aggravated  sins,  have  forfeited  all  title  to  thy 
mercy.  Blessed  be  thy  name,  that  thou  hast 
laid  on  Jesus  Christ  the  iniquities  of  mankind. 
Blessed  be  thy  name,  that  in  him  there  is 
mercy  and  plenteous  redemption.  O  make 
me  deeply  sensible  of  my  need  of  the  merits 
and  grace  of  my  Redeemer.  Penetrate  me 
with  a  conviction  of  my  weakness  and  de- 
pravity, of  my  guilt  and  unworthiness,  that  I 
may  be  excited  to  flee  for  refuge  from  the 
%vrath  to  come,  to  the  hope  set  before  me  in 
the  Gospel.  Blessed  Jesus!  cleanse  me  by 
thy  precious  blood,  and  sanctify  my  corrupt 
nature  by  thy  grace.  Discerning  thy  all- 
sufficiency  to  save  and  to  redeem,  may  my 
trust  be  reposed  on  thee  alone.  O  merciful 
God  !  inspire  in  my  heart  a  supreme  concern 
for  the  things  that  belong  to  my  eternal  peace. 
May  the  salvation  of  my  soul  engross  my  most 
earnest  attention.  Impress  on  me  the  folly 
and  the  guilt  of  sacrificing  my  immortal  in- 
terests to  the  perishing  pleasures  of  the 
world.  O  do  thou  quicken  in  my  heart,  Al- 
mighty God,  the  apprehension  of  my  guilt 
and  danger  while  in  rebellion  against  thee. 


Tuesday  \formng.  51 

Strengthen  the  desires  which  thy  grace  has 
awakened,  for  that  satisfying  peace  which 
thou  dost  confer  on  the  humble  suppliants  for 
thy  mercy.  And  since  thou  hast  instituted 
ordinances  to  be  the  channels  of  conveying 
thy  grace  to  the  soul,  may  I  reverently  submit 
to  thy  appointments,  and  gratefully  seek  thy 
favour,  in  the  way  which  thou  hast  appointed. 
To  that  holy  sacrament,  where  Jesus  the  Sa- 
viour dispenses  everlasting  salvation,  may  1 
bring  a  heart  humbled  by  thy  grace,  affections 
supremely  desirous  ofthe  joys  of  thy  love;  that 
thus  I  may  be  restored  to  the  reconciled  coun- 
tenance of  thee,  my  God,  through  Jesus  Christ, 
my  blessed  Lord  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


TUESDAY  MORNIXG. 


MEDITATION. 

Man  in  his  Natural  State. 

The  examination  of  thy  character  and  state, 
O  my  soul,  should  have  occupied  thy  deep 
attention.  The  inquiry  v/as  calculated  to 
display,  in  the  most  engaging  colours,  the 
infinite  love  of  God  in  all  his  dispensations 
towards  thee  as  thy  Creator,  thy  Preserver, 
thy  everlasting  Redeemer.  Insensible  hast 
thou  been,  if  the  lively  emotions  of  gratitude 
have  not  been  enkindled  by  the  review.  In- 
sensible hast  thou  been,  if  the  infinite  mercies 
which  thou  hast  reviewed,  exciting  every  ten- 


52  Tuesday  Morning, 

der  affeclion,  have  not  been  celebrated  in  the 
ascription  of  praise  to  the  greatest  and  best 
of  beings,  thy  Father,  Redeemer,  and  God. 

Thou  hast  hveu  exposed  to  the  holy  in- 
spection of  that  God,  who  brings  to  light  the 
most  secret  actions.  The  inquiry  in  which 
thou  hast  been  engaged,  involves  thy  present 
peace,  thy  everlasting  welfare.  If,  then,  the 
examination  has  been  conducted  with  that 
solicitude  and  impartiality  which  these  awful 
considerations  are  calculated  to  excite,  thou 
hast  found,  O  my  soul,  that  thou  art  guilty, 
deeply  guilty,  in  the  sight  of  thy  holy  Judge. 
The  searching  beams  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
have  disclosed  the  depths  of  thy  depravity  and 
guilt.  The  view  of  the  infection  of  sin,  which 
diffuses  itself  through  thy  powers  and  affec- 
tions, must  have  laid  prostrate  thy  claims  to 
that  purity  which  rendered  thee  the  delight 
of  thy  Maker,  wdien  at  the  first  his  voice 
arrayed  thee  with  the  glories  of  his  image. 
Alas  !  •'  How  has  the  gold  become  dim  !  how 
has  the  fine  gold  become  changed  !  the  crown 
has  fallen  from  my  head.  Wo  unto  me,  for 
I  have  sinned  !" 

An  understanding  once  enlivened  by  the 
beams  of  divine  light,  no  longer  intuitively 
discerns  the  glory  of  God,  and  attains  a  full 
knowledge  of  his  laws.  Its  powers,  enfeebled 
and  depraved,  are  the  sport  of  prejudice  and 
passion,  which  pervert  its  researches.  A  will, 
which  once  followed  the  enlightened  dictates 
of  the   understanding,  and  centered  all  its 


Tuesday  Morning,  53 

pursuits  in  God,  as  the  supreme  object  of  its 
choice,    now   obeys  the  dictates   of  ignoble 
passions.     With  fearless  presumption,  it  im- 
piously turns,  in  rebellion  against  God,  the 
very  energies  which  it  holds  dependent  on  his 
power.     It  wilfully  chooses  those  debasing 
pleasures,  which  are  directly  opposed  to  that 
divine  law  in  which  it  once  placed  its  perfec- 
tion and  delight.     Affections,  which  glowed 
with  love  to   God,  in  the  fruition  of  whose 
favour  they  were  rewarded  with  per-fect  bliss, 
are  now  bound  in  the  chains  of  sensual  appe- 
tite.   Depraved  and  corrupt,  they  now  eagerly 
pursue   the  perishing   enjoyments   of  sense, 
and  contemn  the  communion  which   it  was 
once  their  glory  to  maintain  with  the  source 
of  purity  and  love.    Now,  disdaining  the  bliss 
which  flows  from  the  light  of  Gorl's  counte- 
nance,  they  seek  the  gratification  of  those 
grovelling  propensities  which  ally  the  aspiring 
nature  of  man  to  the  brutes  that  perish.     O 
my  soul!  when  I  contrast  the  exalted  powers 
M'hich,  in  thy  primeval  state,  conformed  thee 
to  the   image  of  thy  Creator,   and  admitted 
thee  to  the  enjoyment  of  his  love,  with  the 
corrupting  passions  by  which  thou  art  now 
enslaved  ;  can  I  wonder,  that,  till  restored  by 
his  grace  to  the  glorious  image  which  thou 
hast   forfeited,    thou  dost  labour    under  the 
weight  of  his  displeasure,    under  his  awful 
curse  \ 

Abasing  to  thy  pride,  painful  to  thy  self- 
love,  O  my  soul,  but  certain  as  the  oracles  of 

E2 


54  Tuesday  Morning. 

truth    in  which   it  is  revealed,  and   as   that 
divine    plan  of  salvation   of  which   it  is  the 
basis,  is  the  truth,  that  human  nature  is  de- 
generate and  corrupt.     When  the  holy  Job, 
borne  down  by  the  blaze  of  divine  glory  which 
displayed  the  corruption  of  his  nature,  vents 
his  contrition  in  the  exclamation,  "  I  abhor 
myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes;"  when 
the  holy  king  of  Israel,  awakened  to  remorse 
at  the  view  of  crimes  of  the  deepest  dye, 
which,  through  the  rage  of  fell  lust,  he  had 
committed,  follows  back  his  guilt  to  its  source, 
a  degenerate  nature, — declaring  in  penitential 
confession,  that  he  was  "  conceived  in   sin, 
and  brought  forth  in  iniquity ;"  when  an  in- 
spired apostle,  tracing  the  assemblage  of  vices 
which  hjid  brutalized  mankind,   pronounces 
the  alarming  declaration,  that  "all  have  sin- 
ned, and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God," — 
thou  dost  hear  a  truth,  proclaimed,  as  it  were^ 
by  the  sacred  lips  of  God  himself,  which  the 
mew  of  the  irorld,  which  the  history  of  man, 
whii*h  the  testimony  of  conscience  irresistibly 
confirm. 

Sayest  thou,  man  is  not  a  fallen  being] 
Trace  then  his  perfection  in  the  world  which 
he  inhabits.  Is  it  decked  with  those  glories 
which  render  it  a  habitation  worthy  of  the 
illustrious  being  for  whose  enjoyment  it  was 
created  ]  Is  the  strain  of  harmony  and  peace 
poured  forth  from  this  august  temple,  where 
man,  pure  and  perfect,  enjoys  the  smiles  of 
ins  Maker's  level    Ah!   scourged   by  war, 


Tuesday  Morning.  55 

pestilence,  and  fa 'nine,  the  earth  sends  forth 
tli."  sii^^hs  and  groans  of  a  wretch^jd  race  ; 
loaded  with  the  ^uilt  of  hnman  crimes,  it 
trembles  under  the  frown  of  the  Almighty  ; 
blasted  (jfteii  by  the  li-rhtning  of  heaven,  it 
waits  tlie  dread  fiat,  which  will  whelm  it  in 
destruction,  for  the  sin  of  nviri. 

Sayest  thou,  man  is  a  perfect  being  1    Dis- 
play then  his  virtues  in  the  records  of  his 
history.     Alas !    these   records   are   dyed   in 
blood.     They  exhibit  the  portrait  of  human 
guilt  in  glaring  colours.     Do  the  fair  forms 
of  justice,  benevolence,    and   mercy  rise  to 
view,  'md,  extending   their  benignant  reign 
over  the  human  race,  pronounce  that  man  is 
blest  and  happy  1    Does  one  soul  of  celestial 
love  pervade  the  family  of  mankind,  united 
by  the  most  endearing  ties,  by  common  wants, 
by  common  feelings,  by  an  exalted  and  eternal 
destiny  I    Ah  !  oppression  lays  her  sceptre  on 
her  sullen  victims  ;  ambition  erects  the  tro- 
phies of  triumph  amidst  the  ruins  into  which 
her  merciless  spirit  has  swept  the  proudest 
boasts  of  human  grandeur  ;   the  spectre  of 
revenge,  brandishing  the  steel  streaminop  with 
gore,  urges  man  to  seal  the  purpose  of  ven- 
geance in  his  brother's  blood. 

Alas !  the  world,  groaning  under  the  curse 
of  God,  and  waiting  the  final  execution  of  the 
sentence  of  his  wrath;  the  history  of  human 
nature,  presenting  the  dreadful  picture  of 
crimes  and  misery,  illumined  only  by  some 
scattered  rays  of  virtue  and  happiness,  pro^ 


56  Tuesday  Morning* 

claim   the  degeneracy,   the   corruption,   the 
guilt  of  man. 


THE  PRAYER. 

Almighty   God  !    who,    at   the  first,    didst 
create  man  in  thine  own  image,  and  impress  on 
his  soul  the  seal  of  immortality,  if  by  transgression 
he  has  forfeited  his  primeval  glories,  and  sunk  his 
nature  in  sin  and  misery,  on  his  own  wilful  folly^ 
and  not  on  thy  decree,  most  holy  God,  be  the 
shame  and  guilt.     I  acknowledge  that  I  perceive 
the  fatal  proofs  of  my  degeneracy  in  my  clouded 
understanding,  in  mv  perverse  will,  in  my  corrupt 
affections.     I  acknowledge  that  every  view  which 
I  take  of  the  world  around  me,  and  of  the  conduct 
of  my  fellow  men,  confirms  the  humiliating  truth. 
Almighty  God!  let  me  not  deceive  mvself  in  the 
estimate  which  I  form  of  my  spiritual  character 
and  state.     Let  me  not  flatter  the  vain-glorious 
emotions  of  my  heart,  by  false  ideas  of  my  purity 
and  perfection.     Let  me  not  seek  to  cast  a  veil 
over  the  enormity  of  my  sins,  and  thereby  weaken 
the  emotions  of  penitence,  the  conviction  of  my 
need  of  the  atoning  merits  and  purifving  grace  of 
my  Redeemer.     Almio^hty  God  !  search  through 
all  the  folds  of  my  heart;  detect  mv  secret  vices; 
bring  to  light  my  errors  and  transgressions ;  ex- 
pose to  mv  awakened  conscience  all  the  aggrava- 
tions of  mv  guilt;  that  thus  humbled,  convicted, 
and  alrrmed,  I  mav  see  no  wa\  of  escape  from- 
thv  displeasure,  but  through  the  merits  and  me- 
diation of  Je^us  Christ,   my  blessed  Lord  and 
Redeemer.     Amen^ 


Tuesday  Evening.  Si 

TUESWAY   EVENING. 


MEDITATION. 

A' an  in  his  Xaiural  State. 
The  subject  of  tliC  morning  meditation  continued. 

BoASTEST  thou,  that  thou  art  exempt  from 
the  stains  of  guilt  which  pollute  the  rest  of 
thy  racel  Bring  thy  powerful  pleas  to  the 
tribunal  of  conscience.  Estimating  highly  the 
opinion  of  the  world,  perhaps  thou  hast  always 
sought  to  regulate  thy  conduct  by  the  laws  of 
honour.  Calculating  from  motives  of  worldly 
prudence,  thou  hast  been,  in  all  thy  dealings, 
honest  and  just.  Desirous  of  the  applause  of 
men,  or,  from  the  impulse  of  a  blind  sympathy, 
ihou  hast  been  generous  and  charitable.  Are 
these  then  thy  pleas  for  exemption  from  the 
general  sentence  of  guilt  1 

Carry  thy  claims  to  integrity  and  virtue 
higher.  Allow  that  thou  hast  been  honour- 
able, that  thou  hast  been  just,  that  thou  hast 
been  generous  and  liberal,  from  the  best  mo- 
tives. Allow  that  no  gross  crimes  have  mark- 
ed thy  conduct;  that  thy  life,  on  the  contrary, 
merits  the  reputation  of  being  exemplary  and 
upright.  Allow  that  thou  hast  not  obtained 
the  homage  due  to  virtue,  by  imposing  on  the 
world  a  correct  and  honourable  exterior,  while 
thy  principles  have  been  base  and  sordid. 
Allow  that,  when  urged  by  interest  and  re- 
strained by  no  fear  of  detection,  thou  hast  not 


58  Tuesday  Evening, 

secretly  practised  the  arts  of  injustice  and  dis- 
honesty, which  thou  dost  affect  openly  to  ab- 
hor. Allow  that,  while  just  and  true  in  thy 
intercourse  with  others,  thou  hast  not  been 
regardless  of  the  duties  to  thyself.  Allow 
that  thou  hast  faithfully  cherished  the  virtues 
of  temperance,  soberness,  and  chastity;  and 
hast  never  indulged  in  the  secret  commission 
of  vices  which  dishonoured  thy  nature. 

Carry  still  higher  thy  pretensions  in  the 
scale  of  virtue.  Allow  that  thou  dost  cherish 
reverential  ideas  of  the  attributes,  the  provi- 
dence, and  the  dispensations  of  God ;  that 
ihou  dost  not  wilfully  profane  his  name,  nor 
speak  lightly  of  his  sacred  word.  Allow  that 
thou  dost  entertain  a  high  esteem  for  his 
sacred  word;  defending  it,  as  an  excellent 
code  of  religious  and  moral  duties,  against 
the  libertine  attacks  of  scepticism.  Allow 
that,  from  some  sense  of  thy  obligations  to 
God  and  regard  for  the  order  of  society,  thou 
dost  reverence  the  institutions  of  religion,  and 
attend  on  the  ministrations  of  the  sanctuary. 
Advance  thy  pretensions  thus  high  :  and  few 
of  those  who  disclaim  the  imputation  of  their 
depravity  can  advance  these  bold  pretensions. 
They  are  conceded  to  thee.  These  things 
thou  hast  done.  On  these  thou  dost  rest  thy 
claims  to  rectitude,  to  exemption  from  guilt. 
On  these  thou  dost  found  a  proud  title  to  the 
favour  of  God. — O  my  soul !  before  thou  dost 
thus  presume  to  encounter  the  holy  inspection 
of  thy  Almighty  Judge,  and  to  stand  at  his 


Tuesday  Evening,  39 

tribunal  on  the  claims  of  thy  own  merit,  let 
thy  conscience  answer  for  thee,  the  solema 
inquiry,  What  hast  thou  left  undone  I 

It  is  not  superficial  negative  virtue  which 
will  constitute  the  perfection  of  thy  nature, 
and  satisfy  the  claims  of  thy  Maker  and  Judge, 
Thy  exemption  from  guilt,  thy  claims  to  inno- 
cence and  uprightness,  thy  pretensions  to  the 
favour  of  God,  must  be  founded  on  a  sincere, 
supreme,  universal  obedience  to  his  laws. 
This  obedience  is  demanded  by  thy  obliga- 
tions, which  reason  will  acknowledge,  to  de- 
vote to  the  God  that  made  thee,  to  the  greatest 
and  best  of  beings,  tfiy  supreme  homage.  By 
a  powerful  dictate  of  thy  nature,  thou  art  urged 
to  admire  and  esteem  excellence  and  good- 
ness.  Humble  and  feeble  degrees  of  virtue 
in  man,  attract  and  receive  thy  warm  regard. 
Oh!  then,  are  not  the  most  sacred  fervours 
of  admiration  and  love  justly  due  to  thnt  Al- 
mighty Being  who  centres,  in  an  infinite  de- 
gree, every  excellence  in  his  adorable  person, 
and  from  whom  emanates  every  ray  of  good- 
ness and  bliss  that  illumines  the  universe! 
On  thee,  O  tny  soul,  this  Almighty  Bemg  has 
exercised  his  bounty — thee  he  has  crowned 
with  the  gifts  of  his  love.  To  him,  therefore, 
thou  art  bound  by  the  most  powerful  obliga- 
tions. From  him  thou  hast  derived  thy  exist- 
ence; every  noble  power  that  exalts  thee  in 
tlie  scale  of  being  ;  all  those  aspiring  desires, 
wliicii  limit  thy  powers  of  enjoyment  only 
with  the  fruition  of  infinite  perfection.     On 


60  Tuesday  Eveniiig. 

him,  whose  all-pervading  spirit  sustains  uni- 
versal nature,  thou  art  dependent  for  every 
present   enjoyment   which    swells  thee  with 
delight;  for  every  blessing  which,  in  the  an- 
ticipated fruition,  fills  thee  with  transport. — 
Behold  the  claims  of  God  to  thy  homage  and 
obedience.     I  speak  not  now  of  the  riches  of 
his  mercy  in  Jesus  Christ ;  I  speak  not  now 
of  that  infinite  compassion  which  urged  the 
Almighty  Father  to   yield    his  only   Son    a 
sacrifice  for  thy  sins ;  1  unfold  not  now  that 
stupendous  mystery  of  love,  into  which  angels 
desire  to  look,  and  which  their  most  ardent 
adorations  but  feebly  celebrate.    The  infinite 
mercy  of  thy  God,  who  spared  thee,  the  wilful 
transgressor  of  his  law,  the  contemner  of  his 
authority  and  justice,  who  even  gave,  for  thy 
ransom  from  tliat  misery  and  death  into  which 
sin  had  plunged  thee,  his  beloved  Son — ^the 
infinite  grace  of  God  in  thy  redemption,  con- 
stitutes a  claim  to  love  more  ardent  than  thy 
afiTections,   even  when  inflamed  with  a   co  il 
from  the  altar  of  heaven,  will  be  able  to  ren- 
der.    But  the   glory   of  this  redemption   is 
raised  on  the  ruins  of  thy  fallen  nature;  and 
while  thou  dost  deny,    or  only  imperfectly 
realize,  thy  guilt,  fruitless  would  be  the  at- 
tempt, by  displaying  the  wonders  of  redeem- 
ing mercy,  to  enforce  thy  obligations  to  thy 
God.     I  present,  therefore,  only  the  acknoic- 
/c(^/gcc/ claims  of  God  to  thy  homage  and  obe- 
dience ;  and  say, — if  the  graces  and  charms 
of  goodness  are  calculated  to  command  es- 


Tuesday  Evening,  61 

teem  and  love  ;  if  a  dependent  creature  feels 
deeply  seated  in  his  nature  a  sense  of  obliga- 
tion to  his  Maker  and  Preserver; — on  whom 
should  thy  supreme  love  be  exercised,  to 
whom  should  thy  exalted  obedience  be  ren- 
dered, but  to  him  who,  possessing  in  himself 
infinite  perfection  and  happiness,  has  dis- 
played on  thee  the  glories  of  his  goodness] 

Say,  then,  my  &oul,  hast  thou  rendered  to 
God  that  love  which  is,  on  his  part,  the  claim 
of  acknowledged  right;  on  thine,  the  dictate 
of  generous  gratitude  and  duty]  Hust  thou 
loved  him,  as  in  justice  and  in  gratitude  thou 
wast  bound,  sincerehj,  supremely,  umversally? 
Hast  thou  considered  it  as  thy  highest  honour, 
and  has  it  been  thy  supreme  delight,  to  con- 
template and  adore  the  gh»rious  attributes  of 
thy  Creator;  reverently  and  gratefully  to  trace 
the  wonders  of  his  providence  and  the  riches 
of  hits  mercy]  Impressed  with  his  infinite 
excellence,  and  with  a  lively  conviction  of  thy 
dependence  upon  his  power  and  thy  obliga- 
tions to  his  bounty,  hast  thou  uniforady  ren- 
dered him  the  tribute  of  homage  and  worship; 
earnestly  supplicating  his  protection,  and 
celebrating  the  displays  of  his  goodness  ] 
To  the  Almighty  Father  of  Spirits,  to  him 
who  must  be  worshipped  in  spirit  and  ia 
truth,  hast  thou  rendered  not  merely  a  cold, 
superficial  worship,  but  the  lively  homaofe  of 
thy  he  rt]  Has  sacred  communion  \vith  thy 
Almighty  Father  and  Benefactor,  in  the  ex- 
ercises of  praver  and  praise,  been  observed 
F 


6^  Tuesday  Evening, 

not  only  as  a  public  tribute,  exacted  by  cus- 
tom, extorted  by  a  sense  of  decency,  and  at 
]ast  rendered  easy  by  habit ;  but  hfis  it  bef^n 
the  exercise  and  the  solace  of  thy  retired 
hours  ?  Has  the  holy  principle  of  love  to  God 
transfused  alacrity  and  delight  into  every  act 
of  obedience  to  himi  Has  it  been  the  su- 
preme principle,  which  animated  every  duty, 
which  prompted  sincere  obedience  to  all  his 
commands  1  Ah,  my  soul,  presumptuous  self- 
love  has  veiled  from  thee  thy  real  character. 
Thou  hast  been  asserting  thy  rectitude  on  thy 
exemption  from  gross  crimes,  and  on  thy 
partial  obedience  to  the  divine  commands, 
while  thou  hast  been  de^iiXulQ  o^ l\vdt  spiritual 
and  tinirersal  holiness  which  thy  omniscient 
Judge  requires.  Thou  hast  founded  thy 
claims  to  merit  on  thy  external  obedience  to 
the  laws  of  God,  while  thou  hast  been  desti- 
tute of  that  supreme  love  to  him  which  is  thy 
highest  duty,  perfection,  and  happiness,  and 
which  must  animate  even  the  most  exalted 
acts  of  virtue  to  render  them  acceptable  in 
his  sight. 

Yes,  my  God,  with  deep  humility  I  ac- 
knowledge  the  presumption  which  disclaimed 
my  depravity  and  guilt.  With  deep  humility, 
I  acknowledge  that  thy  grace  has  excited 
every  emotion  to  goodness  which  animates 
my  disordered  nature.  Forgetful  have  I  been 
of  thee,  when  the  most  powerful  obligations, 
and  the  most  tender  motives  urged  my  ardent 
love.   Thou  canst  justly  claim  the  sincere  and 


Tuesday  Evenhg,  63 

universal  service  of  my  life:  imperfect  and 
partial  has  been  my  obedience.  O  God, 
when  my  omissions  of  duty  thus  involve  me 
in  the  deepest  guilt,  what  loud  calls  for  the 
inflictions  of  thy  justice  do  my  actual  trans- 
gressions present.  My  presumptuous  sins 
rise  before  my  dismayed  conscience.  O,  who 
can  disclose  my  secret  faults  !  Alas,  my  in- 
iquities are  too  many  to  be  numbered.  Yes, 
my  God,  from  the  impure  fountain  of  my 
heart  have  flowed  the  noxious  streams  which 
have  debased  my  nature,  and  swept  away  the 
vestiges  of  primeval  glory.  "  Thou  art  found 
wanting," — the  sentence,  marked  by  the  fin- 
ger of  thy  holiness  on  the  most  brilliant 
virtues  of  man,  confounds  the  pretensions  of 
human  pride.  The  purest  seraph  that  treads 
thy  courts,  most  holy  God,  renouncing  all 
claim  to  merit,  casts  his  crown  at  thy  throne. 
What  emotions,  then,  should  penetrate  a 
w^orm  of  the  dust,  a  polluted  sinner,  when 
he  approaches  his  Maker  and  Judge !  Ah, 
though  arrayed  in  the  righteousness  of  the 
most  exalted  saint,  when  the  beams  of  thy 
glory  dart  upon  me,  it  w^ill  become  me,  imi- 
tating the  abasement  of  the  inspired  prophet, 
to  lay  my  hand  upon  my  mouth,  and  prostrate 
in  the  dust  to  deplore  my  sins — '^  Wo  is  me, 
for  I  am  unclean." 

Contemplate,  then,  O  my  soul,  w^ith  pro- 
found humility,  thy  awful  guilt.  Consider 
thyself  as  excluded,  by  transgression,  from 
that  throne  of  glory,  which,  in  thy  state  of 


64  Tuesday  Evening, 

innocence,  thou  wast  permitted  to  approach. 
Consider  thyself,  wiiile  unrenewed  by  grace, 
as  obnoxious  to  the  displeasure  of  that  God, 
"who,  from  the  essential  holiness  of  his  nature, 
must  ever  regard  sin  with  abhorrence.  Re- 
volt not  against  the  humiliating  conviction  of 
thy  depravity  ;  presume  not  to  cast  thy  sins 
on  the  Being  who  made  thee.  Pure  and  up- 
right thou  didst  come  forth  from  his  hallowed 
hands.  But  though  blessed  with  his  animat- 
ing smiles,  though  admitted  to  the  vision  of 
his  glory,  though  holding  blissful  communion 
with  thy  adorable  Maker,  wilfully  yielding  to 
temptation,  thou  didst  transgress  his  com- 
mands. His  love  infinitely  surpassed  thy  de- 
serts. Transgression  had  no  sooner  sunk 
thee  into  the  abyss  of  guilt,  than  his  mercy 
provided  the  means  of  thy  restoration.  Satan 
had  no  sooner  triumphed  in  thy  fall,  and  cast 
on  thee  his  chains,  than  the  price  of  thy  ran- 
som was  laid  on  one  that  was  mighty — than 
a  glorious  Redeemer  was  provided  to  destroy 
the  power  of  the  adversary.  Sin  had  no 
sooner  defaced  thy  primitive  glory,  than  the 
fountain  of  grace  was  opened  to  renew  and 
console  thee.  Inheriting  from  the  first  de- 
generate Adam,  a  fallen  and  polluted  nature, 
thou  mayest  derive  from  thy  glorious  Repre- 
sentative, the  divine  Saviour  of  mankind,  par- 
don, holiness,  everlasting  life.  The  sacrifice 
of  his  death,  as  the  sacrifice  of  an  all-perfect 
victim,  is  infinite  in  value  ;  and,  extending  its 
efficacy  to  all  mankind,  restores  them  to  the 


Tuesday  JEvenirig,  65 

means  and  hopes  of  salvation.  His  quicken- 
ing grace  diffuses  through  the  hearts  of  the 
degenerate  offspring  of  Adam,  the  cheering 
light  which  conducts  to  the  reconciled  counte- 
nance of  their  God, — the  invigorating  strength 
which  enables  them  to  render  that  imperfect, 
bui  sincere  obedience  which  his  mercy  will 
accept. 

Thy  guilt,  therefore,  O  my  soul,  is  increased 
by  thy  rejection  of  proffered  grace.    Thy  con- 
demnaiion  is  now  aggravated  by  the  impious 
contempt  of  the  mercies  of  salvation,  pur- 
chased for  thee  by  a  Saviour's  merits,  and 
pressed  upon  thee  by  the  urgent  entreaties 
of  a  Saviour's  love.    In  his  state  of  perfection, 
thy  first  parent  enjoyed  the  exalted  bliss  of 
communion  with  God.     But  glorious  as  was 
his  state,  animating  as  were  his  motives  to 
obedience,  the  agonies  of  a  divine  Saviour 
consumed  as  a  victim  to  incensed  justice  did 
not  display  to  him  the  awful  sanctions  of  the 
law  of  God.     The  glories  of  the  Woi'd  made 
flesh,  the  blessings  of  salvation  which  flowed 
from  the  cross,  did  not  swell  his  soul  with 
the  emotions  of  adoration,  did  not  display  to 
his  astonished  contemplation  the  surpassing 
condescension    and    love   of  the   everlasting 
Jehovah.     Ah,  thy  transgressions  have  cast 
contempt  on  the  glories  of  the  Son  of  God 
manifested  in  the  flesh,  to  redeem  thee ;  thy 
transgressions  have  repaid  w'nh  mockery  and 
insult  the  agonizing  sufferings  by  which  he 
atoned  for  ihy  guilt.     Ah,  my  soul,  thy  sms, 

F  2 


66  Tuesday  Evening, 

committed  against  brighter  displays  of  glory, 
contemning  more  tremendous  manifestations 
of  divine  justice,  have  involved  thee  in  deeper 
guilt  than  that  which  crushed,  under  the  curse 
of  heaven,  the  wretched  forefather  of  our  race. 

Here  then,  my  soul,  place  the  basis  of  thy 
repentance.  Let  the  contemplation  of  thy 
fallen  state  excite  penitential  sorrow.  Let 
the  view  of  the  ruins  in  which  sin  has  involved 
thy  once  glorious  nature,  excite  the  lively 
conviction  of  thy  need  of  the  renovating  grace 
of  a  Redeemer.  Arrayed  in  the  garments  of 
mercy,  he  came,  the  divine  Messenger  of  the 
Father,  "  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives, 
to  bind  up  the  broken-hearted,  to  comfort 
those  who  mourn."  And  until  thou  art  sen- 
sible that  the  chains  of  sin  enslave  thee  ;  until 
the  view  of  the  guilt  of  thy  transgressions  ex- 
cites the  anguish  of  thy  conscience;  until  the 
just  sentence  of  condemnation  passed  against 
thee  penetrates  thy  spirit, — thou  wilt  not  sup- 
plicate the  saving  power  of  thy  Redeemer ; 
thou  wilt  not  implore  the  balm  of  divine 
mercy  ;  thou  wilt  not  seek  to  wash  away  the 
stains  of  thy  guilt  in  the  fountain  of  thy  Sa- 
viour's grace. 

Let  then  the  lively  sense  of  thy  unworthi- 
|iess  be  ever  cherished,  O  my  soul, — to  hum- 
ble thee  in  the  sight  of  God,  to  awaken  the 
fervours  of  thy  repentance,  to  excite  thee  to 
seek  peace  and  salvation  by  a  lively  faith  in 
thy  Redeemer's  merits.  Especially,  when 
thQU  art  called  to  celebrate  his  love,  and  to 


Tuesday  Evening.  67 

invoke  his  mercy,  in  the  holy  sacrament  of 
his  supper,  be  it  thy  care  to  form  the  most 
affecting  views  of  thy  lost  estate.  Who  will 
cherish  with  the  most  fervent  gratitude  the 
precious  emblems  of  the  Saviour's  love] 
Who  will  invoke  wdth  the  most  sincere  soli- 
citude, that  grace  which  this  ordinance  was 
designed  to  dispense]  And  who  will  experi- 
ence, in  their  most  exquisite  fervours,  those 
holy  joys,  which  sometimes  lift  the  soul  to 
the  city  of  the  living  God  I — The  humble 
Christian,  who,  cherishing  a  deep  sense  of 
his  weakness,  his  unworthiness,  his  need  of 
mercy  and  grace,  places  his  trust  in  that  all- 
sufficient  Saviour,  who  gave  himself  to  be  th© 
^(A  of  ihe  icorld. 


THE  PRAYER. 

O  God,  who  art  infinitely  pure  and  perfect, 
and  in  whose  sight  dvvelleth  nothing  that  is  unholy 
or  unclean ;  with  deep  humility  I  confess  the 
numerous  sins  which  have  defiled  my  conscience, 
and  which  call  for  the  condemning  sentence  of 
thy  justice.  I  acknowledge,  O  Lord,  that  thy  laws 
are  infinitely  holy,  just,  and  good;  calculated  to 
advance  the  perfection  of  my  nature,  my  present 
peace,  and  everlasting  welfare.  But,  though  thou 
hast  mercifully  endued  me  with  that  heavenly 
grace,  by  which  I  was  enabled  to  work  out  my 
salvation,  and  through  the  merits  of  my  blessed 
Redeemer,  to  obtain  thy  favour,  with  deep  hu- 
mility I  confess,  tliat  I  have  disregarded  the  in- 


68  Tuesday  Evening, 

vitations  of  thy  mercy,  contemned  the  succours  of 
thy  grace,  and  defied,  by  wilful  transgression,  the 
terrors  of  thy  justice,  Enhghtened  by  thy  truth 
to  discern  the  exctllence  of  thy  righteous  laws, 
and  endued  with  strength  to  resist  the  temptations 
which  would  seduce  me  from  thy  service,  ''  I  have 
yet  done  the  things  that  I  ought  not  to  have  done, 
and  I  have  left  undone  the  things  that  I  ought  to 
have  done  ;  and  there  is  no  health  in  me."     Alas, 

0  Lord,  by  the  numerous  deficiencies  of  duty 
which  have  marked  my  life,  by  my  repeated  viola- 
tions of  thy  laws,  1  have  incurred  thy  displeasure ; 

1  stand  condemned  at  thy  tribunal ;  my  conscience 
confirms  the  justice  of  that  sentence  which  would 
banish  me  from  thy  presence.  Blessed  be  thy 
naUiC,  thou  hast  spared  me,  O  God  of  my  salva- 
tion. In  the  exercise  of  infinite  love,  thou  hast 
laid  on  Jesus,  thy  eternal  Son,  the  burden  of  my 
sins.  O  thou  precious  Lamb  of  God,  who  wast 
wounded  for  my  transgressions,  and  bruised  for 
mv  iniquities;  whose  agonizing  sufferings,  and  all- 
sufiicient  merits  are  displayed  to  the  eye  of  faith, 
in  the  lively  memorials  of  the  altar,  hear  the  sup- 
plications which  my  soul,  bowed  down  by  its  guilt 
and  unuorthiness,  directs  to  thee,  for  pardon  and 
salvation.  Grant,  O  my  Saviour,  that  while  the 
emblems  of  thy  sufferings  and  death  forcibly  im- 
press on  my  heart  the  sense  of  my  guilt,  they  may 
also  be  the  seals  and  pledges  of  the  merc}',  the 
grace,  and  favour  of  my  offended  God.  Holy 
Spirit,  the  source  of  quickening  grace,  whose  sa- 
cred office  it  is  to  convince  of  sin^  excite  in  my 
soul  the  conviction  of  my  weakness  and  unworthi- 
ness.  Blessed  Guide  and  Con  forter,  \^i^d  my 
contrite  spirit  to  repose  its  full  trust  in  the  merits 


fFtdnesdatj  Jlfornmg,  69 

of  my  Saviour.  Almighty  Father,  whose  just  in- 
dignation I  have  incurred,  cast  me  not  off"  for  ever; 
—listen  to  the  interceding  calls  of  thy  mercy,  to 
the  powerful  pleadings  of  my  Saviour's  blood,  and 
turn  from  my  guilty  soul  the  severity  of  thy  wrath. 
Recovered  by  thy  mercy  from  the  depths  of  guilt 
and  misery,  and  restored  by  thy  grace  to  health, 
purity,  and  peace,  be  all  the  glory  of  my  redemp- 
tion ascribed  unto  thee,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  for  ever  and  ever.     ^4 men. 


WEDNESDAY  MORMXG* 


MEDITATIOiN. 

Repentance. 

O  MY  SOUL,  if  the  conviction  of  thy  fallen 
state,  thus  established  by  the  declaration  of 
God  himself,  by  the  view  of  the  world  around 
thee,  by  the  history  of  human  nature,  by  the 
taithful  testimony  of  thine  own  conscience, — 
if  this  conviction  of  thy  fallen  state  has  been 
sincere,  thou  wilt  perceive  the  necessity  of 
deep  repentance. 

How  shalt  thou  express  thy  sensibility  to 
thy  demerit,  thy  sorrow  for  the  sins  w'hich 
have  roused  against  thee  the  wrath  of  heaven, 
but  by  humble  and  earnest  confession  \  How 
shalt  thou  awaken  the  mercy  of  that  God 
whom  thy  sins  have  provoked,  but  by  that 
unfeigned  sorrow  which  the  true  penitent 
cherished  !  How  wilt  thou  subdue  the  pas- 
sions which  destroy  tliy  purity  and  peace,  and 


70  JFednesday  Morning. 

continually  plunge  thee  in  transgression  and 
guilt,  but  by  the  mortificalion  and  self-denial 
which  are  the  principal  constituents  of  ge- 
nuine repentance  I  Thy  Saviour  hath  de- 
clared that  he  came  to  "  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost."  Thy  Almighty  Judge  hath 
pronounced  that  he  dispenses  mercy  only  to 
those  "  who  turn  from  their  wickedness,  and 
do  that  which  is  lawful  and  right."  Seek  to 
excite  then,  O  my  soul,  by  deep  humiliation, 
the  compassion  of  thy  Saviour — by  the  vows 
of  obedience  which  characterize  the  true  pen- 
itent, prove  that  thou  art  steadfastly  resolved 
to  serve  thy  God,  and  thus  lay  thy  humble 
claim  to  his  mercy. 

Thou  art  preparing  to  participate  in  that 
holy  supper,  where  thou  wilt  be  admitted  to 
intimate  communion  with  thy  heavenly  Father, 
where  thou  wilt  engage,  in  the  closest  inter- 
course of  love  and  duty,  with  thy  blessed 
Redeemer.  O  consider,  how  lively  should 
be  thy  contrition,  how  profound  thy  abase- 
ment, how  universal  thy  renunciation  of  sin, 
how  firm  thy  resolutions  of  obedience,  how 
sincere  thy  repentance — when,  by  the  most 
affecting  symbols,  thou  dost  devote  thyself  to 
thy  Redeemer,  and  implore  the  mercy  and 
grace  of  the  God  of  thy  salvation. 

Art  thou  then  desirous,  O  my  soul,  to  be 
rescued  from  that  guilt  and  condemnation 
into  which  sin  has  cast  theel  Art  thou  de- 
sirous to  be  restored  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
reconciled  countenance  of  thy  God  \   Art  thou 


Wtdnesday  Mornirtg,  71 

desirous  to  enioy  the  pure  delight  that  enli- 
vens liie  conscience  which  thu  bloorl  of  the 
Saviour  hath  cleansed  from  guilt!  Art  thou 
desirous  to  experience  the  powerful  efficacy 
of  thai  body  and  blood,  by  which  Jesus  re- 
deenl^•  his  penitent  people  !  Art  thou  desirous 
to  enjoy  the  refreshing  grace  of  thy  Alaiighty 
Saviour !  Let  thy  most  vigorous  exeriions  be 
roused ;  let  thy  most  fervent  prayers  be  di- 
rected to  heaven,  for  the  attainment  of  that 
evangelical  rejjentmice  yjhiQh  is  the  only  pass- 
port to  purity  and  peace,  to  the  mercy  of  thy 
Redeemer,  to  the  favour  of  thy  God. 

Examine,  then,  faithfully,  my  soul,  the 
characteristics  of  thy  repentance.  Recall  to 
view  the  properties  of  this  evangelical  grace. 
Recollect,  there  are  counterfeits  of  repent- 
ance, by  which  many  flatter  and  fatally  de- 
ceive their  ow^n  hearts.  Ah,  when  God,  in- 
flexible and  holy,  sits  in  judgment  on  the  soul, 
he  will  institute  a  scrutiny  which  will  con- 
found the  hopes  of  the  hypocrite  Holy  Spirit, 
repentance  is  thy  gift — quicken  its  holy  ex- 
ercises in  my  soul. 

That  thou  mayest,  in  the  awful  day  of  re- 
tribution, escape  the  condemning  judgment 
of  God,  investigate  now,  my  soul,  faithfully 
and  seriously,  the  characteristics  of  thy  re- 
pentance. 

It  is  not  sufficient  that  thy  repentance 
should  be  founded  solely  in  an  awful  appre- 
hension of  ditmeicrath.  In  a  certain  degree, 
and  within  certain  bounds,  an  apprehension 


72  JFednesday  Morning'. 

of  the  infliction  of  divine  justice  due  to  sin, 
is  not  only  necessary  to  call  forth  the  convic- 
tion, the  sorrow,  and  the  zeal  of  the  penitent ; 
but  it  is   also  the  povi^erful  principle  which 
corrects  the  fervours  of  love,  and  which  may 
at  times  animate  the  obedience  of  the  con- 
firmed Christian,     For  that  exalted  fear  of 
God,  which  lies  at  the  foundation  both  of  the 
contrition  of  the   penitent  and   the  homage 
and  duty  of  the  Christian,  in   some  degree 
arises  from  a  lively  and  awful  impression  of 
the  inflexible  justice  of  God,  of  the  wrath 
which  will  overwhelm  the  contemners  of  his 
laws.     What  emotions  of  reverence  should 
confound  a  worm  of  the  dust,  a  polluted  sin- 
ner, when  he  contemplates  that  holiness  and 
justice,  which  encircle   the  throne  at  which 
he  is  to  reeeive  his  eternal  doom  !     Into  the 
emotions  of  penitence,  therefore,  an  appre- 
hension   of  divine   wrath,  arising  from  the 
view   of  the  justice,  holiness,  and  power  of 
God,  and  of  our  guilt  and  demerit,  may  justi- 
fiably enter.    But  when  it  is  the  sole,  or  even 
the  dominant  principle,  it  destroys  the  puri- 
fying and  consoling  efficacy  of  repentance. 
For  a  repentance  which  is  founded  only  on 
an  apprehension  of  divine  wrath,  is  selfish 
and  disingenuous  in  respect  to  its  7notives; 
it  will   also  be  feeble  and  superficial  in   its 
sacrifices  and  in  its  services.     When  uninflu- 
enced by  other  more  ingenuous  and  noble 
motives,  a  repentance  characterized  by  the 
fear  of  divine  wrath  regards  only  the  conse- 


JFediicsdatj  Morning.  73 

quences  of  sin  as  incurring  punishment,  and 
keeps  out  of  view  its  more  aggravated  char- 
acteristics, its  ingratitude,  its  baseness,  its 
criminality.  This  kind  of  repentance,  there- 
fore, may  very  well  comport  with  an  insensi- 
bility to  the  deformity  of  sin,  and  to  its  guilt 
as  the  violation  of  the  law  of  God,  the  just 
and  holy  Judge  of  the  world.  A  penitent, 
influenced  only  by  an  awful  apprehension  of 
divine  wrath,  will  be  earnestly  anxious  to 
avert  the  penalties  of  sin,  but  will  not  be  so- 
licitous to  avoid  the  commissio7i  o^  it.  Cher- 
ishing his  sinful  passions,  he  will  merely  aim 
at  those  partial  sacrifices,  at  that  superficial 
obedience,  by  which  he  hopes  to  elude  the 
sentence  which  God  will  pronounce  on  the 
presumptuous  sinner.  Unaffected  by  a  sense 
of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  devoted  to  licentious 
enjoyments,  he  would  riot  in  sensual  indul- 
gence, did  not  the  apprehension  of  divine  in- 
dignation arrest  his  guilty  passions.  His  soul 
still  retaining  its  aversion  to  holiness  and 
virtue, — his  is  the  repentance  of  unsubdued 
guilt,  of  terrified  remorse  :  like  the  repent- 
ance of  condemned  spirits,  who,  trembling 
under  the  chains  of  hell,  and  consumed  by  its 
fires,  seek  a  suspension  of  their  torment,  only 
to  hurl  their  vengeance  against  the  throne  of 
heaven!  Oh!  what  an  insult  is  this  base 
repentance  to  God,  whom  its  slavish  fears 
regard  as  a  merciless  tyrant ;  and  who,  it  im- 
piously supposes,  will  be  satisfied  with  that 
hypocritical  expression  of  sorrow  which  is 
G 


74  Wednesday  Morning* 

extorted  by  the  terrors  of  his  justice !  How 
unworthy  is  this  degenerate  repentance  of  the 
devout  communicant,  who,  in  the  sufferings 
of  his  Saviour,  portrayed  in  the  emblems  of 
the  altar,  beholds  an  excitement  to  the  most 
lively  and  ingenuous  sorrow ! 

It  is  not  even  enough  that  repentance 
should  be  founded  on  a  view  of  the  evil  of 
sin  as  destructive  to  the  purity  and  peace  of 
the  soul. 

The  purity  and  peace  of  the  soul  are  in- 
separably connected,  by  the  constitution  of 
human  nature,  and  by  the  appointment  of 
God,  with  obedience  to  his  laws.  Obedience 
to  the  decrees  of  the  infinite  source  of  per- 
fection and  power  constitutes  the  harmony 
of  the  universe.  Obedience  to  the  will  of  the 
eternal  fountain  of  intelligence  and  goodness 
constitutes  the  bliss  of  those  countless  my- 
riads of  spirits  who  encircle  the  throne  of  Je- 
hovah, adoring  his  transcendent  glory.  Only 
in  a  conformity  to  the  image,  and  in  a  sincere 
obedience  to  the  will  of  his  eternal  Lawgiver 
and  Judge,  will  man  find  pure  and  perfect 
bliss.  All  the  powers  of  his  nature  tend  to 
the  eternal  fountain  of  perfection  as  the  centre 
of  their  enjoyment.  In  proportion  as  they 
are  exercised  upon  God,  as  they  are  regu- 
lated by  his  will,  and  as  they  are  enlivened 
by  the  smiles  of  his  favour,  will  be  the  hap- 
piness of  man  in  the  present  life,  and  his 
capacity  for  the  fruition  of  the  blissful  pre- 
sence of  his  God  in  the  life  to  come.    When, 


FTednesday  Morning,  75 

therefore,  thou  dost  consider,  O,  my  soul,  that 
by  disobedience  to  the  laws  of  God,  thou  hast 
forfeited  thy  claim  to  his  favour  ;  and  that,  ia 
departing  from  the  infinite  source  of  perfec- 
tion and  goodness,  thou  hast  forsaken  the 
*^  fountain  of  living  waters,"  and  hast  sought 
to  gratify  thy  desires  at  the  unsatisfying 
"  cisterns"  of  worldly  pleasure — when  thou 
dost  contemplate  the  disorder  in  which  sin 
has  cast  thy  once  perfect  powers — when,  con- 
victed and  alarmed,  thou  dost  consider  the 
infamy,  the  guilt,  the  misery  which  attend  the 
indulgence  of  unholy  passions — thou  dost 
behold  the  most  powerful  motives  to  deep 
humiliation,  to  lively  sorrow.  3ut,  sven  here, 
the  glow  of  contrition  is  tarnished  by  the  sel- 
fish principle  by  which  it  is  excited.  Trans- 
greesion  has  destroyed  thy  peace,  has  cut 
thee  off  from  the  divine  fountain  of  felicity, 
has  debased  thy  powers,  has  blasted  thy  en- 
joyments. Dishonour,  misery,  and  destruc- 
tion, are  the  fruits  of  thy  sinful  course.  Here 
there  is  not  a  motive  to  repentance  which 
does  not  terminate  in  self,  which  does  not 
draw  all  its  force  from  a  regard  to  thy  own 
welfare.  Ah,  if  indeed  the  consequences  of 
sin  involved  only  thy  own  purity  and  peace, 
motives  drawn  from  these  considerations 
would  constitute  the  sole  springs  of  thy  re- 
pentance. But  thy  transgressions  have  defied 
the  authority,  and  have  contemned  the  mercy 
of  thy  God  and  Saviour.  There  are,  there- 
fore, motives  to  contrition  still  more  noble— 


'76  Wednesday  Morning. 

motives  more  worthy  of  those  ingenuous 
emotions  with  which  the  penitent  should 
commemorate,  in  the  holy  supper,  the  infinite 
love  of  his  Redeemer. 

Thy  penitential  sorrow,  therefore,  should 
be  founded  on  a  deep  sense  of  the  evil  of 
sin,  as  a  presumptuous  contempt  of  the  right- 
eous authority  of  God, 

Consider  that,  as  the  infinite  source  of  per- 
fection, power,  and  goodness,  he  justly  claims 
the  homage  of  the  universe.  Consider  that 
his  omnipotent  hand  sustains  and  governs  all 
things;  himself  the  sovereign  Lord  of  nature. 
Consider  that  the  object  of  that  dominion 
which  he  exercises  over  the  world,  is  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  purity  and  happiness  of  all 
the  orders  of  intelligent  creatures.  Consider 
that,  as  thy  eternal  Maker,  thy  omnipotent 
Lawgiver,  thy  just  and  holy  Judge,  he  claims 
thy  supreme,  thy  uniform  obedience.  Ah, 
by  transgressuion  thou  hast  impiously  refused 
to  render  that  homage  which  universal  nature 
offers  to  its  omnipotent  Maker  and  Lord — 
By  transgression  thou  hast  spurned  thy  de- 
pendence on  that  almighty  arm  which  pre- 
serves thee  in  being,  and  which,  in  a  moment, 
could  crush  thee  into  the  dust,  whence  it 
raised  thee— By  transgression  thou  hast  re- 
volted against  the  righteous  dominion  of  the 
Sovereign  of  the  universe,  and  sought  to  de- 
feat the  beneficent  purposes  of  his  sway— By 
transgression  thou  hast  defied  the  infinite 
power  of  thy  Maker,  thou  hast  contemned 


fFednesday  Morning,  77 

the  righteous  mandates  of  thy  supreme  Law- 
giver, thou  hast  raised  the  arm  of  defiance 
against  the  omnipotent  Judge  of  heaven  and 
earth.  Oh,  by  what  profound  contrition  must 
thou  seek  to  avert  the  wrath  which  impends 
over  thy  rebellion! 

Until  we  are  deeply  impressed  with  the 
supreme  claims  of  God  to  our  homage  and 
obedience;  until  we  discern  and  acknowledge 
his  power,  his  justice,  and  his  holiness ;  the 
awful  presumption  of  sin,  as  a  contempt  of 
his  authority,  will  not  be  displayed  in  full 
force.  The  throne  on  which  God  exercises 
the  dominion  of  the  universe,  is  founded  on 
his  inviolable  holiness  and  justice.  To  resist 
his  authority,  to  violate  his  laws,  is  therefore 
presumptuously  to  contemn  these  exalted  at- 
tributes, and  to  rebel  against  that  righteous 
government,  the  subversion  of  which  would 
overwhelm  the  purity  and  glory  of  the  uni- 
verse. The  true  penitent,  therefore,  will  hum- 
bly acknowledge,  that  his  guilt  is  aggravated 
by  the  contempt  of  the  authority  of  God  with 
which  it  is  marked.  Casting  his  eyes  on  the 
sacrifice  of  the  altar,  he  will  behold,  in  the 
agonies  of  the  almighty  victim,  there  immo- 
lated under  aflfecting  symbols,  the  infinite 
price  which  God  exacted,  as  the  vindication 
of  his  violated  authority,  and  the  enormity  of 
that  guilt  which  rendered  an  infinite  sacrifice 
necessary.  At  the  altar,  therefore,  the  devout 
communicant  will,  in  profound  abasement, 
adore  the  sovereignty  of  God,  and  pour  forth 

G2 


78  IFednesday  Mornings 

his  penitential  soitovv  for  his  presumptuous 
violations  of  the  laws  of  the  righteous  Maker 
and  Judge  of  the  world. 

The  view  of  sin,  which  is  calculated  to 
awaken  in  the  penitent  the  most  lively  con- 
viction of  its  baseness  and  enormity,  and  to 
excite  a  generous  sorrow,  has  not  yet  been 
displayed.  To  all  the  other  powerful  aggra- 
vations of  sin  will  be  added  the  characteristic 
of  base  insensibility  and  ingratitude^  when 
the  penitent  regards  it  as  a  deliberate  and 
tcilfid  contempt  of  the  infinite  mercy  and  love 
of  God,  That  by  transgression  we  have  in- 
curred divine  wrath ;  that  by  transgression  we 
have  destroyed  our  purity  and  peace ;  that  by 
transgression  we  have  defied  the  righteous 
and  beneficent  authority  of  God — are  con- 
siderations powerfully  calculated  to  display 
the  evil  of  sin,  and  to  excite  profound  sorrow 
for  it.  But  the  afiecting  consideration,  that 
by  transgression  we  have  discovered,  base 
insensibility  to  the  goodness  of  God,  and  un^ 
gratefully  contemned  his  infinite  love^  displays, 
in  its  full  enormity,  our  guilt,  and  constitutes 
the  most  ingenuous  source  of  true  repentance. 
Yes,  my  soul,  thou  hast  withheld  the  tribute 
of  just  and  generous  homage  from  that  glori- 
ous Being  who  centres  in  himself  all  loveli- 
ness and  perfection.  Thou  hast  withheld  the 
tribute  of  just  and  generous  gratitude  from 
thy  Almighty  Father,  Preserver,  and  Bene- 
factor,— who  has  guided  and  defended  thee 
whe;i  helpless  and  exposed, — who  has  cherr 


IFednesday  Moniing,  79- 

ished  thee  with  an  affection  which  even  thy 
neirlect  and  insensibility  could  not  overcome, 
— who    has   crowned   thee   with  mercy  and 
loving-kindness, — who  has  provided  for  thee 
an  eternal  and  glorious  destiny  beyond  the 
grave.    Ah,  thou  hast  not  only  been  deficient 
in   the  exalted  acts  of  gratitude  and    duty. 
By  repeated  and  wilful  transgressions  of  his 
commands,  thou  hast  discovered  indifference 
to  his  love,  and  contempt  of  his  mercy.    Thou 
hast  even  slighted  the  most  exalted  display 
of  his  goodness,  the  gift  of  his  only  Son  to 
redeem  thee.     Oh,  my  soul,  thou  hast  sin- 
ned, not  against  a  hard   and   cruel   master, 
whose  service  was  burdensome  and  without 
reward;    not  against  a   merciless  sovereiirn, 
who  ruled  thee  with  the   sceptre   of  wrath  ; 
but  against  thy  most  compassionate  Fnther, 
thy  most  generous  Benefactor,  thv  most  ten- 
der Friend  ;  against  that  merciful  Redeemer, 
who  shrunk  not  from    the   iunominv  of  the 
cross  to  purchase  thy  redemption.    On!  what 
emotions  of  ingenuous  sorrow  will  agitate 
the  bosom  of  the  sincere  penitent,  when  he 
beholds,  in  the  transcendent  love  of  his  Re- 
deem.er  and  God,  the  representation  of  his 
ingratitude  and  guilt !     Penetrated  with  dis~ 
interested  sorrow,  he  will  humble  his  soul  in 
the  deepest  contrition  ;  and  by  the  fervours 
of  his  repentance,  seek  to  testify  that  he  is, 
at  last,  awakened  to  the   affecting  force  o< 
those  infinite  mercies,  which  he  so  long  con- 
temned. 


80  Wednesday  Morning, 

The  sacrifice  of  the  altar  was  designed  to 
convey  a  lively  representation  of  the  suffer- 
ings and  death  of  Christ.  The  altar,  there- 
fore, is  the  throne  where  the  sincere  penitent 
will  pour  forth  the  confession  of  his  sins. 
When,  prostrate  before  its  hallowed  symbols, 
he  beholds  the  body  of  his  Saviour  broken 
and  bruised,  and  the  precious  blood  of  the 
Lamb  of  God  shed  forth  as  an  atoning  sacri- 
fice, the  enormity  and  guilt  of  his  sins,  which 
could  so  long  resist  and  contemn  the  infinite 
love  of  his  Redeemer,  will  dissolve  his  soul 
in  ingenuous  and  fervent  penitence. 


THE  PRAYER. 

Oeternal  and  Almighty  God !  whose  autho- 
rity I  have  violated,  whose  power  I  have  defied, 
whose  justice  I  have  contemned,  whose  mercy  I 
have  resisted,  by  my  repeated  and  aggravated  trans- 
gressions— sensible  of  my  baseness,  my  presump- 
tion, my  ingratitude  and  guilt,  I  now  humbly  cast 
myself  at  the  throne  of  thy  mercy,  and  implore 
thy  forgiveness.  O  thou  Father  of  mercies,  whose 
compassions  fail  not,  whose  love  and  pity  cannot 
be  subdued  by  the  ingratitude  and  sins  of  man, 
vouchsafe  to  pardon  and  bless  the  unworthy  sinner 
who  sees  no  refuge  from  the  just  sentence  of  con- 
demnation, but  in  the  gracious  overtures  of  salva- 
tion which  thou  hast  proclaimed  through  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Son  of  thy  love.  Praises  evermore  be 
ascribed  unto  thee,  that  thou  hast  declared  thou 
art  willing  to  accept,  through  Jesus  thy  Son,  the 


JFednesday  Morning.  ^l 

imperfect  but  sincere  repentance  of  the  awakened 
sinner.  0  do  thou  inspire  in  my  heart  that  hum+- 
ble,  lively,  and  ingenuous  contrition  which  is  alone 
thy  gift.  Spirit  of  the  Father  !  fountain  of  quick- 
ening grace !  awaken  in  me  a  deep  sense  of  the 
evil  and  guilt  of  my  sins,  that  with  humble  and 
earnest  sorrow  I  may  deplore  and  confess  them. 
Set  before  my  conscience  the  terrors  of  that  wrath 
to  which  sin  renders  me  obnoxious,  the  degrading 
impurity  and  misery  in  which  it  has  plunged  me. 
But,  oh  !  let  the  liveliest  emotions  of  sorrow  arise 
from  the  view  of  my  guilt  and  ingratitude,  in  hav- 
ing contemned  the  righteous  authority,  the  infinite 
mercies  of  my  God  and  Saviour.  Almighty  God, 
let  me  not  seek  to  extenuate  the  guilt  cf  my  trans- 
gressions, or  to  offer  to  thee  an  imperfect  repent- 
ance. But  mercifully  grant,  that,  humbly  deplor- 
ing my  guilt,  and  confessing  my  unworthiness,  I 
may  approach  to  thy  holy  altar,  and  there  be  re- 
stored to  thy  reconciled  countenance,  through  the 
prevailing  merits  and  efficacy  of  the  body  and 
blood  of  him  who  died  for  my  sins,  Jesus  Chris?, 
my  Lord  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


WEDNESDAY   EVEXIXG. 


MEDITATION. 

Resolutions  of  obedience.    Tl)e  invigoratine;  and  sanctlfyipg  agencv  of  the 
Holy  Spirit. 

The  important  object  of  repentance,  to 
which  indeed  all  its  genuine  exercises  tend, 
is  the  restoration  of  the  soul  to  holiness. 
We  can  {lave  no  claim  to  the  favpur  of  a  ju^ 


62  Wednesday  Evening, 

and  holy  God ;  we  are  not  indeed  capable  of 
enjoying  the  pure  and  perfect  bliss  of  his  pre- 
sence, until  the  dominion  of  sin  is  subverted 
in  our  hearts ;  until  we  are  reinstated  in  the 
graces  of  the  divine  image.  Every  expression 
of  repentance  is  vain  and  presumptuous,  un- 
less it  proceeds  from  a  heart  supremely  de- 
sirous to  be  released  from  the  dominion  of 
sinful  passions — and  to  obtain  that  purity 
which  only  conducts  to  the  favour  of  God,  to 
satisfying  peace,  to  unfailing  joy  in  his  pre- 
sence. "  Without  holiness  no  man  shall  see 
the  Lord." 

To  release  us  from  the  bondage  of  sin  was 
the  object  which  brought  down  from  the  man- 
sions of  bliss  the  eternal  Son  zt  the  Highest. 
It  was  the  object  for  which  he  promulgated 
his  divine  instructions,  and  for  whioh  he  dis- 
played the  example  of  a  spotless  life.  It  was 
the  object  which  animated  all  his  labours; 
which  conducted  him,  cheerful  and  triumph- 
ant, through  his  bitter  sufferings.  It  was  the 
object  for  which  he  finally  shed,  on  the  cross, 
that  precious  blood  which  was  to  be  the  seal 
and  the  means  of  our  deliverance  from  sin ; 
for  which  he  poured  forth  the  Holy  Spirit 
to  sanctify  our  degenerate  nature.  While, 
therefore,  unholy  passions  enthral  us;  while 
we  are  destitute  of  those  virtues  by  which  we 
must  be  qualified  for  everlasting  happiness — 
in  vain  for  us  will  the  Son  of  God  have  pub- 
lished his  divine  instructions — in  vain  for  us 
will  he  have  displayed  his  glorious  example — 


Wednesday  Evening.  83 

in  vain  for  us  will  he  have  triumphantly  sus- 
taiued  the  sufferings  and  death  or'  the  cross- 
in  vain  for  us  will  he  have  purchased  the 
renoVf«ting  gifts  of  the  Holy  {Spirit.  Ah, 
these  powerfui  aids  and  motives  to  holy  obe- 
dience, perverted  and  contemned,  will  strip 
us  of  all  excuse  for  our  impenitence;  will 
silence  the  pleas  by  which  we  may  seek  to 
extenuate  our  continuance  in  sin  ;  and  will 
arm  with  heavier  vengeance  the  sentence  of 
almighty  justice. 

Contemplate,  O,  my  soul,  the  import  of  the 
holy  rite  which  thou  art  to  celebrate.  Con- 
template the  lively  exhibition  which  the  sa- 
crifice of  the  altar  affords,  both  of  the  inflexible 
jnstice  of  (jod  and  his  infinite  mercy.  Con- 
template, under  the  affecting  symbols  there 
exhibited,  the  love  of  the  Saviour,  who  ex- 
posed himself  to  the  fires  of  divine  justice  to 
avert  from  thee  their  fury.  And  if,  after  this 
awful  and  affecting  exhibition,  no  desires  are 
awakened  to  be  delivered  from  the  dominion 
of  those  sins  which  called  forth  the  wrath  of 
heaven  on  thy  innocent  Redeemer — if,  after 
this  penetrating  view,  no  desires  are  excited 
to  testify,  by  thy  vows  of  love  and  duty,  thy 
gratitude  to  thy  God  and  Saviour;  to  obtain, 
by  a  life  of  holy  obedience,  the  enjoyment  of 
their  favour, — thou  art  utterly  unworthy  to 
partake  of  an  ordinance,  to  the  exalted  ten- 
dency of  which  thou  art  entirely  insensible — 
thou  art  utterly  unworthy  to  receive  those 
inestimable   communications   of  mercy  and 


84  Wednesday  Evening, 

grace,  which,  irt  this  sacrament,  aire  granted 
to  the  prayers  and  vows  of  the  humble  and 
faithful.  Oh !  to  receive  the  body  and  blood 
of  the  Saviour  into  a  heart,  which,  cherishing 
unholy  passions,  contemns  his  authority  and 
jnercy,  and  erects  the  throne  of  rebellion 
against  him, — would  display  a  presumption 
deserving  the  most  severe  punishment  which 
infinite  justice  can  inflict. 

By  every  consideration  which  awakened 
thy  lively  sorrow  for  sin,  thou  art  excited,  O, 
my  soul,  to  the  most  earnest  desires  to  be 
rescued  from  its  dominion — thou  art  urged  to 
the  most  zealous  vows  of  duty  and  obecilence. 
How  canst  thou  expect  to  escape  the  loratk 
of  God,  while,  by  cherishing  thy  sins,  and 
persevering  in  rebellion  against  him,  thou 
dost  expose  thyself  tc^  hrs  just  displeasure  I 
How  canst  thou  expect  to  ei^joy  that  peace 
which  diffuses  its  enlivening  influence  only 
through  the  conscience  that  is  redeemed  from 
guilt,  when  thou  dost  cherish  those  unholy 
passions  which  produce  anxiety  and  remorse  I 
How  canst  thou  expect  to  avoid  the  guilt  of 
rebellion  against  the  righteous  authority  of 
the  Sovereign  of  the  universe,  when  the  sen- 
sual passions  which  rule  in  thee  bear  testi- 
mony, that  thy  expressions  and  vows  of  peni- 
tence are  insin(iere,  that  thou  dost  oppose  the 
just  claims  of  God  to  thy  obedience '!  How 
canst  thou  avert  the  opprobrium  of  the  basest 
insensibdity  Sindirtgratitnde,  while  the  display 
of  the  mercies  of  God,  and  of  the  riches  of 


Wednesday  Evening,  85 

his  love  towards  thee  in  Jesus  Christ,  cannot 
induce  thee  to  relinquish  the  sins  which  are 
daily  abusing  his  mercy,  which  are  daily  re- 
newing the  pangs  that  rent  the  bosom  of  thy 
Saviour  ]  Ah,  my  soul,  while  sin  reigns  in 
thy  affections ;  while  wilful  violations  of  the 
laws  of  God  defile  thy  conscience  ;  though 
thy  pretended  sorrow  should  burst  forth  in 
reiterated  confessions  and  supplications,  thou 
art  still  obnoxious  to  divine  wrath — still  the 
slave  of  degrading  pleasures — still  exposed 
to  the  pangs  of  apprehension  and  remorse  : — 
thou  art  still  the  presumptuous  rebel  against 
the  authority  of  God,  the  guilty  contemner  of 
his  love. 

There  is  no  way  in  which  thou  canst  prove 
that  thy  repentance  is  genuine,  in  which  thou 
canst  obtain  a  title  to  the  love  and  favour  of 
God,  or  in  which  thou  canst  prepare  for  being 
a  worthy  guest  at  the  table  of  the  Lord,  but 
by  earnest  and  uniform  desire  to  be  delivered 
from  the  dominion  of  sin,  by  sincere  vows  of 
obedience  to  thy  God  and  Saviour. 

Let,  then,  thy  desires  to  be  delivered  from 
the  dominion  of  sin,  and  thy  vows  of  duty 
and  obedience,  be  sincere  and  lively. 

If  in  proportion  to  the  disgrace  and  misery 
of  the  evils  that  oppress  us,  should  be  the 
sincerity  and  warmth  of  our  desires  to  be  re- 
leased from  them  ;  deliverance  from  the  de- 
grading and  miserable  bondage  of  sin  should 
awaken  the  most  sincere  and  lively  desires  of 
our  hearts.    If  in  proportion  to  the  magnitude 

H 


86  Wednesday  Evening. 

of  the  favours  which  we  have  received  from 
a  benefactor,  and  the  value  of  the  blessings 
which  he  has  still  in  store  for  us,  should  be 
the  sincerity  and  ardour  of  our  devotion  to 
him  ;  the  vows  of  obedience  to  our  heavenly 
Father  and  Redeemer,  who  is  the  source  of 
all  our  blessings,  and  of  all  our  hopes,  should 
awaken  the  highest  fervour  of  our  affections. 
From  a  dominion  that  destroys  our  purity 
and  peace,  we  seek  to  be  delivered.  To  a 
merciful  and  gracious  God,  who  is  worthy  of 
our  highest  homage,  and  who  claims  our  most 
ardent  gratitude,  w^e  are  to  vow  allegiance. 
The  most  splendid  object  of  worldly  desire 
sinks  in  the  comparison  with  the  concerns  of 
our  eternal  destiny.  Desires  and  resolutions, 
if  possible,  infinitely  more  ardent  than  those 
which  impetuously  urge  us  in  the  pursuit  of 
worldly  enjoyments,  should  be  devoted  to  the 
attainment  of  thst  spiritual  redemption,  of 
that  fidelity  and  zeal  in  the  service  of  God, 
which  are  the  only  pledges  of  our  peace. 
Thy  desires  and  resolutions,  O,  my  soul,  are 
to  be  oftered  up  to  a  God  who  searches  the 
heart ;  who,  jealous  of  his  honour,  and  the 
claims  of  his  autliority,  will  resent  and  punish 
the  hypocritical  and  superficial  professions  of 
love  and  obedience.  Thinkest  thou  he  will 
behold  thee  panting  with  desire  in  the  pursuit 
of  worldly  pleasure,  vowing  ardent  devotion 
to  the  idols  of  honour  and  wealth  ;  and  when 
to  him  thy  most  sincere  love,  thy  most  zeal- 
ous obedience  are  duo,  be  himself  content 


Wednesday  Evening.  87 

with  the  feeble  homage  of  affections  which 
are  wasting  their  fervours  on  debasing  and 
transitoiy  gratifications]  View  the  prodigies 
of  love  in  the  siitferings  and  death  comtne- 
morated  on  the  altar.  Contemplate  the  bless- 
ings of  that  spiritual  banquet  which  a  merciful 
Redeemer  hath  provided.  Redemption  from 
sin  and  its  pangs ;  restoration  to  the  favour 
of  God,  and  the  never-failing  consolations  of 
his  love;  purity  of  heart,  and  the  inexpressible 
peace  which  is  always  its  attendant;  commu- 
nion with  God,  and  the  divine  pleasures  which 
he  pours  upon  the  soul ;  a  lively  foretaste  of 
the  joys  of  heaven, — these  are  the  exalted 
blessings  which,  in  the  spiritual  banquet  of 
his  body  and  blood,  the  love  of  thy  Saviour 
has  prepared  for  thee.  Impenetrable  and 
hardened  art  thou,  if  blessings  thus  exalted 
do  not  excite  thy  most  ardent  desires  ;  lost  to 
every  amiable  feeling,  and  deserving  of  the 
wTath  of  heaven,  if,  at  the  very  moment  when 
thy  Saviour  displays  the  depths  of  his  suffer- 
ings, and  offers  thee  the  eternal  blessings 
which  were  purchased  by  them,  thou  canst 
repay  his  love  with  superficial  vows  of  duty. 

It  is  not  enough  that  thy  desires  and  reso- 
lutions be  lively  and  sincere ;  they  must  be 
uniform  and  universal. 

Those  desires  and  resolutions  cannot  be 
sincere,  which,  while  they  urge  us  to  make 
partial  sacrifices  to  the  laws  of  God,  still 
seek  to  retain  some  favourite  gratifications. 
Those  desires  and  resolutions  cannot  be  sin- 


88  Wednesday  Evening. 

cere,  which  are  only  occasionally  and  rarely 
e.verted.  The  ardours  of  holy  desire  and  re- 
solution should  g\i)w  \\\i\\  steady  dir\(\  iiniform 
fervour.  No  temptations,  however  seducing, 
should  dnnip  them  ;  no  duties,  however  diffi- 
cult, should  arrest  them.  The  true  penitent, 
who  is  awakened  to  a  due  sense  of  the  im- 
mense debt  of  gratitude  which  he  owes  to 
his  Almighty  Father  and  Redeemer,  will  not 
measure  his  obedience  by  the  cold  calcula- 
tions of  selfish  policy.  His  vows  of  duty  will 
burst  forth  from  a  heart  beating  with  grateful 
love.  His  vows  of  obedience  will  embrace 
all  the  sacrifices  to  which  devotion  to  his 
blessed  Lord  may  call  him.  They  will  extend 
lO  ty^-xy  act  of  duty  by  which  he  may  advance 
the  honour  of  his  Redeemer  and  God. 

Let,  then,  thy  most  ardent  desires,  O  my 
soul,  be  nniforinly  exerted  for  deliverance 
from  the  dominion  of  sinful  passions,  and 
for  a  restoration  to  the  image  of  thy  Maker. 
Offer  not  to  God  resolutions  of  duty,  the  fruit 
of  transitory  glows  of  feeling.  Let  thy  vows 
of  allegiance  be  founded  on  a  deep  conviction 
of  the  obligations  that  should  bind  thee  to 
liim,  of  the  ennobling  nature  of  his  service, 
and  of  its  glorious  rewards.  Except  not  from 
thy  vows  of  obedience  any  precept  of  thy  Sa- 
viour, though  it  may  require  thee  to  relinquish 
the  indulgence  to  which  thou  dost  cling  with 
supreme  affection.  Resolve  on  that  iiniversal 
obedience  to  his  commands  which  he  re- 
quires, and  which  alone  he  will  accept.   Then 


Wednesday  Evening,  89 

"  shalt  thou  not  be  confounded,  when  thou 
hast  respect  unto  ail  his  commandments." 
When  disposed  to  murmur  at  the  severity  of 
the  sacrifices  to  which  he  calls  thee,  ai  the 
extent  and  difficulty  of  his  service,  cast  thy 
view  upon  the  altar,  contemplate  the  number 
and  poignancy  of  his  sufTerinors  for  thee,  ex- 
plore the  riches  of  his  mercy  and  grace — and 
blush  that  thou  hast  for  a  moment  indulged 
an  ungrateful  murmur;  lament  the  inadequacy 
of  thy  most  znalous  services  to  repay  the  debt 
of  love,  and  offer  to  the  gracious  Redeemer, 
who  bought  thee  with  his  blood,  the  hest  tri- 
bute thou  canst  render,  though  insufficient 
'  and  unworthy — zealous  and  uniform  obedi- 
ence to  all  his  commands. 

Thy  desires  for  redemption  from  the  domi- 
nion of  sin,  and  thy  resolutions  of  obedience, 
must  be  accompanied  with  thy  own  vigorous 
exertions,  and  with  the  diligent  use  of  all  the 
means  of  grace. 

To  work  out  thy  salvation  is,  indeed,  the 
business  that  should  occupy  thy  supreme 
care.  Consider  how  potent  the  sway  which 
sin  maintains  over  thy  affections.  Consider 
how  deep  the  stain  of  iniquity  which  is  to  be 
washed  away.  Consider  how  strong  the 
chnins  of  corrupt  passion  from  whose  thral- 
dom thou  art  to  be  freed.  Consif^er  how 
holy  the  graces  with  which  thou  must  be  in- 
vest(^d.  Consider  how  extensive  and  import- 
ant tlie  circle  of  duties  thou  must  resolve  to 
discharge.     Consider    how    many  sacrifices 

H  2 


90  Wednesday  Evening, 

must  be  made,  how  many  obstacles  must  be 
surmounted,  in  that  course  of  holy  obedience 
to  God  which  thou  art  bound  to  render. 
Wilt  thou  indulge  the  expectation,  that  to 
fulfil  these  momentous  engagements,  feeble 
and  occasional  efforts  only  will  be  necessary? 
Wilt  thou  hope  to  subdue  the  dominion  of 
sensual  passions  by  those  slight  exertions 
which  thou  wouldest  deem  it  folly  to  apply  to 
any  temporal  enterprise  that  was  difficult  or 
hazardous]  Ah,  the  new  and  holy  life,  at 
which  thou  must  aim  as  the  only  pledge  of 
thy  salvation,  is  opposed  to  the  most  powerful 
propensities  of  thy  fallen  nature,  to  the  spirit 
of  a  corrupt  world,  to  the  pleasures  wliich 
from  a  thousand  quarters  assail  thee  with 
their  insinuating  solicitations.  Oh!  what 
vigorous  exertions,  what  bold  resolution,  what 
determined  courage  will  be  necessary  to  sur- 
mount the  obstacles  which  will  oppose  thee 
in  thy  Christian  course,  and  to  enable  tiiee  to 
persevere,  with  unshaken  fidelity,  in  the  ser- 
vice of  thy  God.  The  utmost  strength  which 
thou  wult  be  able  to  bring  to  the  contest  with 
thy  spiritual  enemies,  the  most  vigorous  ex- 
ertions which  thou  wilt  be  able  to  engage  in 
the  discharge  of  the  high  duties  of  the  Chris- 
tian life,  will  prove  vain,  unless  invigorated 
by  the  diligent  use  of  the  means  of  grace. 
By  devout  reflection  on  the  ennobling  privi- 
leges of  thy  holy  vocation;  by  the  serious 
perusal  of  the  pages  of  divine  truth  ;  by  hum- 
ble and  regular  attendance  on  the  ministra- 


IF  dnesday  Evening,  91 

tions  and  ordinances  of  the  sanctuary,  where 
the  God  of  grace  is  ever  ready  to  bless  his 
penitent  worshippers ;  above  all,  by  frequent 
and  earnest  prayer  for  the  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit; — by  these  pious  exercises  only 
wilt  thou  be  able  to  advance  in  the  course  of 
holiness,  with  that  increasing  zeal  which  will 
insure  success.  Under  the  guidance  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  thou  mayest  attain  the  most  ex- 
alted heights  of  Christian  virtue,  but  *'  without 
him  thou  canst  do  nothing."  The  giuice  of 
God  is  sufficient  for  the  most  diflicult  trials — 
his  strength  will  be  g\o\'\ou^\y  perfected  iti  the 
weakness  of  the  most  humble  of  his  children. 
By  his  almighty  Spirit,  ''  the  whole  body  of 
the  Church  is  governed  and  sanctified."  The 
work  of  sanctification,  by  which  the  soul  is 
redeemed  from  sin,  and  reinstated  in  the  di- 
vine image,  is,  in  its  commencement,  its  pro- 
gress, and  its  consummation,  conducted  by 
the  agency  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  Not  inde- 
pendently on  human  exertions,  but  through 
then  instrumentaliti/ J  does  this  blessed  Spirit 
effect  the  renovation  of  the  soul.  Work  out 
your  salvation  uith  fear  and  tremblingj  for 
it  is  God  who  worketh  in  you  both  to  will 
and  to  do.  Inscrutable,  but  claiming  our 
supreme  adoration  and  gratitude,  is  the  won- 
derful method  by  which  God  accomplishes 
our  redemption.  The  Spirit  of  the  Most  High 
descends  and  dwells  in  corrupt  and  fallen 
man.  O  my  soul,  let  the  unsearchable  wis- 
dom of  God  prostrate  the  doubts  of  thy  erring 


92  IFednesday  Evening. 

reason.  Let  not  that  mysterious  agency,  by 
which  thy  redemption  is  effected,  excite  thy 
scorn.  Justly  due  to  God  is  the  tribute  of 
profound  gratitude,  that  by  the  incomprehen- 
sible but  powerful  communion  of  his  Holy 
Spirit  with  thee,  he  pours  light  and  glory  on 
thy  blind  and  corrupt  affections.  Humbly 
and  thankfully  embrace  the  proffered  grace 
of  God.  Fervently  and  unceasingly  implore 
its  sanctifying  influences.  Relying  on  its 
powerful  succours,  aim  at  subduing  every 
depraved  passion ;  vow  eternal  allegiance  to 
the  Lord  thy  God ;  resolutely  engage  in  that 
life  of  holiness  to  which  thy  Saviour's  com- 
mands call  thee.  Behold  !  he  leaves  thee  not 
defenceless — he  imposes  not  restrictions  and 
duties,  without  conveying  to  thee  his  invigo- 
rating aids — he  does  not  call  thee  to  renounce 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  the  enemies 
of  thy  salvation,  without  providing  armour  for 
the  warfare,  heavenly  rewards  to  crown  ihy 
victories.  Behold !  spread  on  the  altar  are  the 
symbols  of  that  divine  body  and  blood,  which 
convey  immortal  joys,  invincible  strength,  to 
the  souls  of  his  penitent  people.  Go,  my 
soul,  seal  over  these  symbols  of  his  love  the 
holy  resolution  to  renounce  thy  sins,  those 
enemies  of  his  cross,  those  enemies  of  thy 
peace.  Go,  my  soul,  over  these  precious 
symbols  of  his  love,  vow  eternal  fidelity  to 
thy  Lord — \ake  up  the  cross  and  follow  him, 
though  rhe  path  lie  through  the  vale  of  suf- 
fering and  death. 


fVeclnesday  Evening,  93 

THE  PRAYER. 

O  God  of  everlasting  mercy  and  salvation  !  in- 
finite source  of  compassion  and  love  !  Worthy  art 
thou  to  receive  blessing,  and  honour,  and  adoration, 
and  praise  from  all  in  heaven,  and  all  in  earth.  For 
thou  hast  made  all  things ;  for  thy  good  pleasure 
they  are,  and  were  created ;  and  from  thee,  the 
everlasting  fountain  of  perfection,  flow  the  glory 
and  excellence  of  all  the  works  of  thy  hands. 
Worthy  art  thou,  O  God  of  eternal  mercies,  to  re- 
ceive the  supreme  homage  and  service  of  the  chil- 
dren of  men :  For  thou  hast  washed  away  their 
sins  in  the  blood  of  thy  Son ;  thou  hast  opened  to 
them,  through  the  merits  of  a  Redeems,  the  pros- 
pect of  immortal  blessedness  beyond  the  grave. 
Penetrated  with  a  sense  of  thy  majesty  and  glory, 
with  a  lively  view  of  thine  infinite  compassion  and 
love,  I  acknowledge  thy  claims  to  my  homage  and 
obedience — I  acknowledge  that  all  the  powers  of 
my  soul,  with  ardent  affection  and  gratitude,  should 
ever  have  adored  thy  power,  and  celebrated  thy 
praise — I  acknowledge  that  the  sincere  and  con- 
stant service  of  my  life  should  have  proclaimed 
my  devotion  to  thee,  the  profound  sense  of  obliga- 
tion to  thy  bounty  and  love.  Author  of  my  being ! 
God  of  my  salvation !  I  bow  myself  in  the  dust 
before  thee,  under  the  conviction  of  the  presump- 
tion and  insensibility  which  have  so  long  disclaim- 
ed thy  authority,  and  resisted  the  displays  of  thy 
mercy.  Awakened  to  a  lively  sense  of  the  ingrati- 
tude and  baseness  of  my  sinful  course,  of  the  de- 
plorable folly  and  guilt  of  that  career  of  transgres- 
sion by  which  I  have  rebelled  against  thee,  I  now 
desire  to  return  unto  thee,  O  my  God.  to  cast  my- 


94  Wednesday  Evefmg, 

self  at  the  foot  of  thy  throne,  imploring  thy  forgive- 
ness— 1  now  desire  to  relinquish  those  corrupting 
and  disappointing  pleasures,  for  which  I  have  con- 
temned thy  authority  and  laws,  and  forfeited  the 
joys  of  thy  favour — I  desire  to  be  rescued  from 
the  dominion  of  my  sinful  passions,  which  are  of- 
fensive to  thee,  most  holy  God,  and  which  termi- 
nate in  shame,  remorse,  and  misery — fervently  do 
I  desire  to  devote  myself  to  thy  service,  to  obtain 
the  satisfying  joys  of  thy  mercy  and  loving- kind- 
ness. O  most  compassionate  Father !  hear  and 
accept  the  sincere  vows  of  duty  which  I  offer  at 
thy  throne.  Thee,  O  God,  I  desire  to  choose  as 
my  refuge  tind  portion — to  thy  glory  and  praise  I 
resolve  to  devo.e  all  the  powers  of  my  soul — for 
that  purity  which  will  conform  me  to  thine  image, 
I  ardently  pant — resolutely  do  1  engage  to  fulfil 
all  thy  comr  .t.nds — cheerfully  v/ill  ^.  sustain  all  the 
sacrifices  which  thy  service  may  require  me  to 
make— vigcrously  will  I  oppose  the  temptations 
and  difRcuities  that  would  seduce  or  intimidate  my 
allegiance  to  thee — to  thy  disposal  I  resign  myself; 
patiently  will  I  submit  to  all  the  chastenings  of  thy 
hand.  Thou  knowest  the  humble  sincerity  of  my 
heart — thou  knowest  also,  O  God,  its  weakness 
and  depravity.  O  save  me  from  a  presumptuous 
dependence  on  my  own  strength.  Teach  me  ever- 
more to  rely  on  thee — to  implore  the  succours  of 
thy  Holy  Spirit.  Excite  me  diligently  to  use  all 
the  means  of  illumination  and  grace.  By  the  exer- 
cises of  meditation  and  prayer,  may  I  seek  to  for- 
tify myself  for  the  conflict  with  sin  and  temptation, 
O  God  !  on  thy  grace  is  my  sole  dependence — - 
evermore  refresh  my  soul  by  its  succours  and  con- 
solations.    O  grant  that,  by  humble  and  earnest 


ff^ednesday  Evening,  95 

prayer,  and  bv  diligent  attendance  on  the  ordinan- 
cts\)t  thy  Church,  I  may  obtain  the  influences  of 
thy  Holy  Spirit.  By  his  almighty  power  may  my 
corrupt  nature  be  quickened,  renovated,  and  re- 
deemed. Encouraged  by  thy  gracious  invitations, 
and  humbly  relying  on  thy  mercy,  I  go  to  the 
sacred  supper,  where  thou  hast  provided  for  thy 
people  heavenly  and  immortal  tbod.  O,  w  hen,  at 
his  holy  table,  over  the  symbols  of  his  body  and 
blood,  I  celebrate  the  love  of  my  Saviour,  and  re- 
new the  vows  of  duty  and  obedience, — Spiri,  of 
God,  impart  to  my  soui  thy  holy  unction — shed 
thy  invigorating  and  consoling  graces — seal  me  to 
the  day  of  redemption — that  finally  advanced,  by 
thy  power,  to  the  courts  of  the  celestial  temple  of 
the  living  God,  I  may  celebrate  the  love  of  my 
Saviour  in  unceasing  and  eternal  strains — and  join 
in  the  jubilee  of  adoration  and  praise  to  God,  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  ever  and 
ever.     Amen. 


THURSDAY  MORIVOG. 


MEDITATION. 

Fnith  in  rhnst. 

As  a  creature  and  a  sinner,  man  is  depen=. 
der5t  on  the  will  of  his  Sovereign  Maker  and 
Jndge.  Whatever  God  prescribes  or  com- 
mands, that  immediately  becomes  his  duty 
and  happiness.  God,  in  infinite  wisdom  and 
goodness,  has  provided  a  plan  of  salvatioa 
for  fallen  man.     By  the  inscrutable  determi- 


96  Thursday  Morning, 

nation  of  the  Almighty  Father,  the  eternal 
Son,  in  the  person  of  man,  sustains  the  pen- 
alties of  a  violated  law ;  and  his  obedience, 
sufferings,  and  death,  are  accepted  as  an  all- 
sufficient  atonement  to  offended  justice.  All 
the  blessinors  of  salvation  are  conveyed  to  us, 
through  the  meritorious  atonement  of  Christ; 
and  faith  m  him  is  made  the  indispensable 
condition  of  our  enjoying  these  blessings. 
•*  Believe  on  the  Lurd  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou 
shalt  be  saved." 

Even  then,  i^ faith  did  not  involve  the  ex- 
ercise of  the  noblest  powers  of  the   under- 
standing, and  the  most  amiable  virtues  of  the 
heart;  if  it  were  not  the  powerful  principle 
which   purifies   the  soul,   and  inspires  every 
act  of  holy  obedience — still,  as  the  command 
of  our  Almighty  Lawgiver  and  Judge,  as  the 
prescribed  condition  of  our  salvation,  it  must 
appear  a  necessary  duty  ;  and  it  would  evi- 
dence the  most  criminal  presumption,  as  well 
as  the  greatest  folly,  to  disregard  it.     The 
holy  sacrament  of  the  supper  presents  the 
Saviour  offered  up  an  almighty  victim  for  sin. 
His  sufferings  and  death  are  represented  as 
the    meritorious   cause    of  our    redemption. 
The  only  fountain  of  pardoning  mercy  and 
redeeming  grace  is  opened  in  his  body  and 
blood.     While,  therefore,  we  are  ignorant  of 
these  truths,  or  insensible  to  them,  we  cannot 
be  prepared  for  approaching  that  ordinance 
which  derives  from  them  all  its  efficacy.    Until 
we  cordially  believe  that  the  eternal  Son  of 


Thursday  Morning,  97 

God,  in  our  nature,  shed  his  blood  to  pur- 
chase our  redemption ;  until  we  believe,  that 
through  his  merits  alone  we  can  have  access 
unto  the  throne  of  our  offended  Judge,  and 
that  by  his  grace  we  must  be  sanctified  and 
restored  to  the  favour  of  God  ;  the  holy  sacra- 
ment of  his  supper,  where  he  is  set  forth  as 
crucified  for  our  redemption,  will  appear  an 
unmeaning  rite;  our  participation  of  it  svould 
only  be  a  mockery  of  God  and  the  Saviour, 
and  tend  to  the  condemnation  of  our  souls. 
Pardon,  salvation,  and  grace,  the  blessings 
of  this  sacred  ordinance,  are  conveyed  only 
to  the  true  believer  The  penitent,  who  is 
awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  guilt  and  his  sub- 
jection to  sin,  will  never  experience  rest  or 
peace  until  he  heartily  embraces  the  truths, 
that  the  blood  of  the  Saviour  is  all-sufficient 
to  cleanse  from  sin,  and  his  grace  all-powerful 
to  redeem  from  its  dominion. 

Let,  then,  thy  most  earnest  solicitude,  O 
my  soul,  be  directed  to  the  examination, 
whether  thou  dost  possess  thnt  liveli/ fait k  in 
GoiTs  mercy  through  Christ,  which  will  con- 
vey to  thee  holiness  and  peace,  and  in  ike 
thee  an  acceptable  guest  at  the  table  of  the 
Lord. 

Rest  not  satisfied  in  a  faith  which  embraces 
the  Gospel  merely  as  a  well  authenticated  re- 
cord of  facts.  Thou  mayest  acknowledge 
the  birth,  life,  and  miracles  of  the  Saviour. 
Thou  mayest  cherish  a  high  esteem  for  his 
character  and  instructions.     But  wiiat  will 

I 


9S  Thursday  Morning, 

this  faith  avail  thee,  while  thou  dost  refuse 
to  receive  the  Saviour  as  thy  merciful  and 
almighty  Lord  and  Master^  by  whose  righte- 
ous laws  thou  art  to  be  guided,  by  whose 
precious  blood  thou  art  to  be  redeemed,  by 
whose  gracious  spirit  thou  art  to  be  sanctified 
and  governed!  Was  it  not  his  primary,  his 
sole  object,  to  effect  the  redemption  of  fallen 
man  from  the  guilt  and  dominion  of  sin  1  Are 
not  his  all-sufficient  merits  and  grace  present- 
ed to  us  as  the  certain  means  of  our  salvation? 
A  faith  which,  passing  over  these  infinitely 
momentous  objects  of  the  Redeemer's  mis- 
sion, regards  him  merely  as  a  distinguished 
personage,  and  barely  assents  to  the  various 
events  of  his  life,  offers  the  most  presumptu- 
ous afiront  to  the  dignity  and  glory  of  the 
Saviour,  and  can  lay  no  claim  to  the  blessings 
of  his  salvation. 

Equally  futile  and  presumptuous  is  a  faith 
"which  enihraces  the  Gospel  only  as  a  system 
of  specidative  truth.  The  superficial  faith 
just  mentioned  embraces  the  Gospel  as  an 
authentic  history  of  facts  ;  while  it  is  indiffer- 
ent to  the  truths  which  it  promulgates,  and 
the  duties  which  it  enjoins.  This  speculative 
faith  advances  further,  and  regarding  Christ 
as  the  author  of  divine  truth,  forms  from  his 
Gospel  a  system  of  doctrines  which  it  em- 
braces on  the  ground  of  divine  authority. 
But  this  faith  is  fundamentally  defective,  in 
considering  the  doctrines  of  Cii'*ist  as  intend- 
ed merely  to  correct  and  regtilate  the  opinions 


Thursday  Morrhg,  99 

of  men,  and  not  principally  to  purify  their 
hearts.  It  is  wholly  insensible  to  the  import- 
ant truth,  that  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  are 
designed  to  redeem  us  from  error  and  sin, 
and  to  establish  in  the  heart  all  divine  and 
holy  graces.  This  speculative  faith  will  never 
impress  on  the  soul  her  subjection  to  sin  and 
misery,  her  need  of  divine  mercy  and  grace — 
it  will  never  awaken  the  exalted  emotions  of 
love  and  gratitude  to  God,  for  the  gift  of  his 
Son  to  be  the  Redeemer  of  fallen  man — it 
will  never  excite  that  peace  and  joy  which 
arise  from  the  experience  of  the  mercy  of  the 
Redeemer,  and  which  urge  to  generous  and 
universal  obedience  to  his  commands.  Un- 
fruitful either  of  holiness  or  peace,  it  cannot 
be  a  passport  to  the  favour  of  that  God  who 
requires  the  homage  of  the  heart;  it  cannot 
confer  an  interest  in  the  merits  of  that  Sa- 
viour who  came  to  establish  in  the  soul  the 
kingdom  o^  righteousness,  peace,  hndjoy. 

Beware  also  of  resting  in  an  imperfect  or 
obscure  faith,  which  does  not  thoroughly  com- 
prehend the  jjJan  of  salvation,  and  which  is 
not  deeply  sensible  of  its  value  and  efficacy. 

Dost  thou  entertain,  O  my  soul,  only  su- 
perficial views  of  the  evil  and  guilt  of  sin,  and 
of  the  necessity  of  the  grace  of  the  Saviour 
to  redeem  thee  from  its  power]  Instead  of 
regarding  his  precious  blood  as  the  only  foun- 
tain of  pardon,  and  his  almighty  grace  as  the 
only  source  of  holiness  ;  dost  thou  content 
thyself  with  an  occasional,  a  lukewarm  con- 


leO  Thursday  Morning, 

fi<1ence  in  his  merits  and  power  t     Dost  thou 
rest  thy  hopes  of  salvation  on  the  superficial 
ideas  which  thou  dost  entertain  of  Christ,  as 
a  benevolent  personage,  who  is  to  procure 
thy  pardon  with  an  offended  God — ^instead  of 
cordially  receiving  iiim,  in  all  his  offices,  as 
the  divine  Prophet  who  is  to  instruct  thee  in 
the  will  of  God — as  the  merciful  High  Priest, 
by  whose  atonement  and  intercession  thou 
art  to  have  access  unto  the  Father— as  the 
glorious  King,  by  whose  laws  thou  art  to  be 
governed,  to  whose  righteous  authority  thou 
art  to  be  subject,  by  whose  victorious  grace 
thou  art  to  be  defended  and  finally  exalted 
to  everlasting  glory  1     Ah,  my  soul !  this  im- 
perfect and  obscure  faith  in  the  Saviour,  on 
which  thou  dost  rest  thy  salvation,  will  dis- 
appoint and  condemn  thee.    Weak  and  irre- 
solute, it  will  not  allay  the  pangs  of  guilt;  it 
will  not  repel  the  assaults  of  temptation  ;  it 
will  not  subdue  the  power  of  sinful  passion  ; 
it  will  not  inspire  thee  with  serenity  and  hope 
at  that  tribimal,  where  a  supreme  affiance  on 
thy  Saviour's  merits  will  be  thy  only  refuge 
from  the  condemning  scrutiny  of  thy  Almighty 
Judge. 

The  faith,  then,  which  is  effectual  to  salva- 
tion, and  which,  in  the  participation  of  the 
holy  supper,  will  vitally  unite  the  devout  com- 
municant to  his  Lord  and  Saviour,  does  not 
consist  in  a  bare  acknowledgment  of  the  truth 
oi\\\e  facts  recorded  concerning  the  character 
and  life  of  Christ ;  in  a  speculative  belief  in 


Thursday  Morning,  101 

his  Gospel,  as  an  excellent /Aeory  of  religious 
and  moral  truth  ;  or  in  a  loose  and  general 
trust  in  the  Saviour,  without  a  clear,  lively, 
and  just  apprehension  of  his  character  and 
offices.  To  approach  the  altar  with  these 
imperfect,  speculative,  and  feeble  views  of 
the  Saviour,  would  be  casting  dishonour  on 
the  precious  efficacy  of  his  blood — insult  and 
mockery  on  his  divine  dignity  and  power. 

Thai  genuine  faith  which  will  lead  the  soul 
to  Christ  as  her  only  refuge,  must  be  founded 
on  a  livclij  conviction  of  our  guilt  and  misery. 
On  the  degeneracy  and  guilt  of  human  nature 
is  the  superstructure  of  redemption  raised. 
Merely  io  instruct  mankind;  merely  to  im- 
prove the  code  of  moral  duties  ;  merely  to 
display  an  example  of  virtue,  it  surely  was  not 
necessary  that  the  eternal  Son  of  the  Highest 
should  divest  himself  of  the  majesty  and  bliss 
of  tlie  Godhead,  should  descend  into  this  vale 
of  sin  and  misery,  and  veil  his  eternal  glories 
in  the  horrors  of  the  cross.  Man  is  a  fallen 
and  guilty  creature.  A  divine  Personage  only 
can  vindicate  the  insulted  3Iajesty  of  heaven, 
and  by  his  sufferings  and  death  appease  the 
claims  of  divine  justice.  Behold  here  the 
truths  which  develope  the  mystery  of  redemp- 
tion; which  present  an  object  worthy  of  the 
infinite  condescension  of  the  Son  of  God; 
which  shed  resplendent  light  on  the  gloom 
that  envelops  the  cross.  '*  The  word  was 
made  flesh,"  "the  Son  of  God  humbled  him- 
self to  the  death  of  the   cross,"   that  man^ 

1  2 


102  Thursday  Morning. 

"  dead  in  trespasses  am!  sins,"  might  be 
"  quickened"  to  the  gUorious  hopes  of  pardon, 
holiness,  and  immortality.  From  a  lively 
conviction  then  of  thy  guilt  and  misery,  O  my 
soul,  must  arise  the  virtue  of  evangelical  faith. 
This  conviction  alone  will  avi^aken  a  sense  of 
thy  urgent  need  of  a  Saviour,  and  excite  thy 
earnest  desires  for  his  pardoning  mercy  and 
renovating  grace.  "  Christ  came  to  seek  and 
to  save  that  which  was  lost."  "  The  whole 
need  not  a  physician,  but  they  that  are  sick." 
Lost  to  the  favour  of  God,  and  to  every  claim 
to  his  mercy,  thou  must  acknowledge  thyself 
to  be,  before  thou  wilt  repose  on  the  merits 
and  powder  of  him  who  is  mighty  to  save. 
The  taint  of  sin  thou  must  deeply  feel  and 
deplore,  before  thou  wilt  have  recourse  to  the 
purifying  fountain  opened  in  the  Redeemer's 
blood.  Thou  must  be  earnestly  desirous  to 
be  rescued  from  the  condemning  bondage  of 
sin,  before  thou  wilt  embrace  the  glorious 
Saviour  offered  to  thee,  under  the  symbols  of 
the  altar,  in  the  satisfying  fulness  of  his  mercy 
and  grace. 

The  faith  which  will  vitally  unite  thee  to 
thy  Redeemer,  and  prove  effectual  to  thy  sal- 
vation, founded  on  a  deep  sense  of  thy  guilt 
and  misery,  must  lead  thee  cordially,  su- 
fremely,  and  joyfnlly,  to  rely  on  the  all-suffi' 
dent  merits  of  Christ  for  pardon^  and  on 
his  all-powerful  grace  for  complete  redemp- 
tion, God  hath  "  set  forth  his  Son  to  be  a 
propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  world ;"  and  it 


Thursday  Morning,  105 

is  bis  merciful  declaration,  that  "  whosoever 
believeth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  should 
have  everlasting  life."  When,  by  the  convic- 
tion of  his  guilt,  condemnation,  and  misery, 
"  every  high  and  lofty  imagination  is  brought 
down,"  the  sinner  will  be  disposed  humbly  to 
submit  to  the  plan  which  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  God  have  provided  for  his  re- 
demption. When  his  understanding  is  "  en- 
lightened to  discern"  the  excellence  and  glory 
of  the  Saviour,  and  the  divine  mercy  and 
grace  which  are  shed  around  the  eternal  Son 
of  the  Father;  when  he  views  the  fulness  of 
peace  and  salvation  in  that  divine  Redeemer 
who  invites  *^  the  weary  and  heavy  laden  to 
come  unto  him  and  receive  rest" — the  humble 
and  contrite  sinner  will  repose  with  cordial, 
supreme,  and  joijful  affiance  on  him  whom 
"  God  hath  exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Sa- 
viour," to  dispense  to  the  penitent  pardon, 
grace,  and  everlasting  redemption. 

Disclaiming  all  presumptuous  dependence 
on  his  own  righteousness  and  strength,  the 
reliance  of  the  true  believer  on  his  Saviour  is 
entire  and  supreme.  In  the  merits  and  power 
of  J^sus  Christ  he  discerns  his  only  refuge 
from  the  terrors  of  a  violated  law;  the  only 
means  of  his  redemption  from  the  dominion 
of  sin ;  the  only  armour  with  which  he  can 
repel  the  assaults  of  his  spiritual  enemies  ; 
his  only  pledge  of  exaltation  to  the  felicities 
of  heaven.  Evermore  "  looking  unto  Jesus" 
for  every  spiritual  blessing,  he  will,  with  su- 


104  Thursday  Morning. 

preme  and  grateful  affection,  adore  and  bless 
his  Saviour,  as  "  the  author  and  finisher  of 
his  salvation." 

To  his  Redeemer,  rich  in  grace  and  mercy, 
he  clings  with  faith  lixehj  and  vigorous — a 
faith  which,  realizing  the  all-sufficiency  of 
the  atonement  of  Christ,  the  almighty  power 
of  his  grace,  and  liis  infinite  willingness  to 
save,  allays  every  apprehension,  and  inspires 
holy  hope  and  triumph. 

The  reliance  of  the  true  believer  in  liis 
Saviour,  is  also  uniform  and  steadfast.  Em- 
phatically it  may  be  said  of  him,  that  he 
*•  Jives  by  faith."  Faith  is  the  animating 
principle  which  inspires  and  preserves  his 
spiritual  life — the  fountain  whence  flow  all 
his  virtues  and  all  his  consolations. 

But  it  is  the  consummation  of  the  excel- 
lence of  genuine  faith,  and  it  is  its  inseparable 
characteristic,  that  it  "  icorks  hj  love,^''  that 
*'  \i  purifies  the  heart,^^  that  it  "  overcomes  the 
tcorld.^^     Faith  is,  in  the  true  believer,  an 
active  principle,  which  is  ever  inspiring  him 
with  the  most  ardent  love  to  that  God  who 
has  mercifully  provided  for  him  the  means  of 
redemption,    and    to    that    Saviour    through 
whom  alone  he  is  redeemed  from  sin,  and 
misery,  nnd  death.    It  is  an  invigorating  prin- 
ciple, which  is  ever  urging  the  true  believer 
to  testify,  by  the  most  exalted  acts  of  obedi- 
ence, the  divine  love  which  warms  his  heart ; 
and  to  endeavour  to  advance,  by  the  uniform 
service  of  his  life,  the  honour  and  glory  of  his 


Thursday  Morning,  105 

Cfod  and  Saviour.  It  is  a  purifyincr  principle 
which,  by  subduing  the  dominion  of  sin,  re-^ 
moves  sense  of  guilt  from  the  conscience; 
which,  by  the  impressing  upon  the  soul  the 
holy  image  of  God,  restores  her  to  the  joys  of 
her  favour  ;  which  prepares  us  for  the  felicity 
of  heaven,  by  forming  in  us  those  holy  graces 
that  yield  on  earth  a  foretaste  of  celestial  joys. 
The  true  believer  acknowledges  the  Saviour, 
not  only  as  the  gracious  High  Priest,  by 
w^hose  atonement  and  intercession  he  is  res- 
cued from  guilt  and  condemnation ;  but  as  the 
divine  Prophet,  who  illumines  the  soul  with 
celestial  truth;  and  as  the  almighty  King, 
who  establishes  in  the  heart  the  dominion  of 
righteousness,  and  who  claims  the  submissive 
homage  of  his  people. 

Behold  now,  my  soul,  the  exalted  charac- 
teristics of  that  faith,  which  alone  is  effectual 
to  salvation.  Founded  on  a  lively  sense  of 
the  guilt  and  condemnation  in  which,  through 
sin,  he  is  involved,  it  opens  to  the  true  pen- 
itent the  mercy  and  grace  of  the  Saviour,  and 
excites  him,  disclaiming  every  other  depen- 
dence, to  rely  with  supreme,  lively,  and  uni- 
form confidence,  on  the  merits  and  power  of 
Christ,  for  pardon  and  salvation.  An  active 
and  vigorous  principle,  it  renews  and  purifies 
the  heart ;  and  excites  the  believer  to  aim  at 
that  universal  obedience,  by  which  alone  he 
can  glorify  his  Saviour,  and  prepare  his  soul 
for  the  fruition  of  the  holy  presence  of  his 
God. 


106  Thursday  Morrting. 

This  supreme,  lively,  and  obedient  faith  in 
Christ,  O  my  soul,  is  made,  by  the  decree  of 
God,  thy  Almighty  Lawgiver  and  Judge,  the 
indispensable  condition  of  thy  salvation.  By 
this  exalted  principle  alone  canst  thou  testify 
thy  generous  sensibility  to  the  infinite  glory 
and  love  of  thy  Redeemer,  or  obtain  the  in- 
estimable blessings  of  pardon,  peace,  and 
everlasting  glory.  It  is  this  divine  faith  which, 
applying  to  the  soul  the  Saviour's  merits  and 
grace,  plucks  from  her  the  sting  of  guilt; 
bursts  the  chains  of  sin;  and  finally  bears  the 
soul  triumphant  over  death,  in  the  robes  of 
celestial  righteousness,  to  the  throne  of  her 
Redeemer  and  God. 

Blest  is  thy  state,  O  ray  soul,  glorious  thy^ 
destiny,  if  thou  art  animated  by  this  exalted 
faith  in  the  Son  of  God.  To  the  pangs  of 
conscience  thou  canst  apply  the  pacifying 
merits  of  the  Saviour's  blood.  To  the  phrensy 
of  guilty  passion  thou  canst  oppose  the  con- 
quering energies  of  liis  grace.  Clad  in  a 
panoply  of  celestial  power,  thou  shalt  sustain, 
unhurt,  the  assaults  of  thy  spiritual  enemies. 
Death  himself  shall  see  his  shafts  fall  harm- 
less at  thy  feet,  and  behold  thee,  contemning 
his  enraged  efforts,  enter  on  the  felicities  of 
an  immortal  kingdom.  Glorious  triumphs  of 
Christian  faith  !  O  my  soul,  aim  at  obtaining 
the  highest  energies  of  this  divine  virtue. 
Cultivate  a  lively  sense  of  thy  degeneracy  and 
guilt.  Cherish  glowing  views  of  the  mercy 
and  power  of  Christ.    Implore  the  quickening 


Thursdaif  Morning.  107 

spirit  of  ^race  to  unite  thee  to  thy  Saviour, 
bv  a  consoling,  holy,  and  triumphant  faith. 
Behold  !  seated  on  the  throne  of  mercy  erect- 
ed on  the  altar,  he  now  waits  to  bless  thee 
with  his  love.  Opening  to  the  guilty  sons  of 
men  the  living  fountain  of  salvation,  he  in- 
vites them  to  "  come  and  drink  of  the  waters 
of  life  freely."  *'  Without  money  and  without 
price,"  he  dispenses  the  blessings  of  his  grace. 
Urgently  needing  his  mercy,  O  my  soul,  refuse 
not  the  solicitations  of  his  love.  Weak  and 
humble  as  thy  faith  may  be,  if  it  has  only 
awakened  a  conviction  of  thy  need  of  a  Sa- 
viour, and  a  desire  to  partake  of  the  blessings 
of  his  salvation^ — go — and  he  who  came  not 
*^  to  break  the  bruised  reed,"  or  to  reject  the 
desire  of  the  humblest  of  his  children,  will 
encircle  thee  with  the  arms  of  his  mercy — 
will  cherish,  by  his  grace,  thy  feeble  faith  ; 
until,  vigorous  and  triumphant,  it  reposes  on 
him,  in  the  fulness  of  peace,  hope,  and  salva- 
tion. 


THE  PRAYER. 

O  MOST  blessed  and  glorious  Lord  God  !  who, 
in  infinite  compassion,  hast  given  thine  only  Son 
to  be  the  Saviour  of  mankind,  and  art  in  him  re- 
conciling the  world  unto  thyself,  not  imputing 
unto  us  our  trespasses  and  sins ;  teach  me  u  ith 
dtep  humility  and  lively  gratitude  to  adore  and 
bless  thee  for  the  transcendent  display  of  grace  and 
mercy  in  the  plan  of  salvation  through  Jesus  Christ. 


108  Thursday  Morning* 

May  this  adorable  myster}^  of  love  engage  my  pro- 
found contemplations,  and  my  lively  affections. 
May  my  most  fervent  desires  be  excited,  my  most 
earnest  exertions  roused,  to  obtain  the  inestimable 
blessings  of  this  great  salvation.  Inspire  me,  O 
God,  with  that  faith  which  will  unite  me  to  the 
Redeemer,  and  be  the  pledge  of  my  forgiveness 
and  everlasting  redemption.  Teach  me  humbly 
to  adore  thy  sovereign  will,  in  r squiring  fmth  in  thy 
Sony  as  the  indispensable  condition  of  thy  mercy. 
Enable  me  to  form  profound,  just,  and  lively  views 
of  this  exalted  virtue.  May  I  not  rest  contented 
in  a  nominal  acknowledgment  of  the  Saviour  ;  in 
a  speculative  and  unfrniriul  belief  in  his  doctrines ; 
or  in  an  iiidistinct  and  general  view  of  his  character 
and  offices.  O  teach  me,  that  these  external,  su* 
perficial,  and  imperfect  views  of  Christ,  thy  blessed 
Son,  while  they  dishonour  his  dignity  and  glory, 
will  not  stand  the  scrutiny  of  thy  justice,  will  not 
convey  peace  and  consolation  to  my  soul,  or  entitle 
me  to  the  joys  of  thy  favour.  Teach  me  to  lay 
the  foundation  of  my  faith  in  a  deep  conviction  of 
my  unworthmess  and  guilt.  And  when  thus  awa- 
kened and  alarmed,  O  do  thou  enlighten  me  to 
discern  the  excellence  and  glory  of  Christ  Jesus ; 
and  to  apply  his  precious  blood  to  my  consolation 
and  peace.  May  I  discern  the  all-sufficiency  of  his 
merits ;  the  perfection  of  his  righteousness ;  the 
fulness  of  his  grace ;  his  ability  and  willingness  to 
save.  May  I  cordially,  joyfully,  and  steadfastly 
repose  on  him  as  the  Almighty  Mediator,  by  whose 
riffhteousness  alone  1  can  be  justified  ;  by  whose 
Spirit  alone  sanctified  ar.d  saved.  Ma}  my  faith 
purify  my  heart,  raise  me  above  the  unhallowed 


Thursday  Morning.  109 

gratifications  of  the  world,  and  form  in  my  soul 
the  holy  graces  and  virtues  which  will  prepare  aie 
for  the  fruition  of  thy  presence.  Thy  grace  alone, 
Almighty  (jod,  can  inspire  and  perfect  my  laith, 
— earnestly  I  implore  thy  quickening  and  sanctify- 
ing strength.  Lead  me  humbly  and  thankfully  to 
that  spiritual  banquet,  where  every  holy  grace  of 
the  soul  is  nourished  and  strengthened  by  the  body 
and  blood  of  thy  Son.  There,  O  God,  '.nay  I  seal, 
through  faith,  my  title  to  tiiy  favour;  there  may 
the  smiles  of  thy  reconciled  countenance  be  shed 
upon  me ;  and  there  may  my  weak  and  humble 
faith  be  quickened  to  the  holy  triumphs  of  joyful 
assurance  and  hope,  through  the  mighty  power  of 
that  Redeemer,  who,  as  the  eternal  Son  of  thy  love, 
liveth  and  reigneth  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
ever  one  God,  world  without  end.     Amen, 


THURSDAF  EV£3riAG. 


MEDITA  nON. 

Taitli  in  Christ  as  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  and  as  a  Prophet,  a  Priest, 
and  King. 

Thou  dost  perceive,  O  my  soul,  that  faith 
in  Christ  consists  in  such  a  lively,  supreme, 
and  steadfiist  reliance  on  his  merits  and 
grace,  as  produces  peace  of  conscience,  joy 
in  the  favour  of  God,  redemption  from  the 
dominion  of  sin,  sincere  devotion  to  the  Sa- 
viour, isniversal  obedience  to  his  commands. 
This  f.  th  necessarily  implies  a  just  and  lively 
view  of  his  glorious  chdracter  and  offices. 

K 


1 10  Thursday  Evening, 

Until  the  glories  of  Christ,  and  his  important 
offices,  are  fully  displayed  to  our  minds,  we 
shall  not  discern  the  all-sufficiency  of  his 
merits,  his  almighty  powei*  to  save  us,  his 
supreme  claims  to  our  homage  and  obedience. 
Faith,  when  exercised  upon  the  Saviour  fa 
the  various  offices  which  he  sustains  towards 
us,  is  a  most  sublime,  ennobling,  and  consol- 
ing principle.  It  opens  to  our  astonished 
contemplations,  those  eternal  glories  of  the 
Godhead  which  were  centred  in  the  person 
of  Jesus  Christ.  It  exhibits  this  Saviour  dis- 
pensing the  luminous  revelation  of  the  attri- 
butes and  will  of  Jehovah  ;  of  the  duties, 
hopes,  and  final  destiny  of  man.  It  displays 
jhim,  clothed  in  the  garments  of  righteousness 
and  mercy,  standing  before  the  altar  of  divine 
justice,  and  sending  up  that  costly  incense  of 
his  blood,  which  propitiates  the  holy  indigna- 
tion of  an  offended  God,  and  invokes  for 
man  the  blessings  of  peace  and  salvation.  It 
displays  him,  "  clad  with  the  garments  of 
yengeance," — *'  with  zeal  as  with  a  cloak,'* 
marching  triumphant  over  his  adversaries, 
"  treading  them  down  in  his  anger,  and 
trampling  them  in  his  fury," — and  finally  as- 
cending, in  majesty  and  power,  to  the  throne 
of  universal  dominion;  where  he  rules,  the 
conqueror  of  death  and  hell,  dispensing  to 
his  people  the  succours  of  his  grace,  and  re- 
ceiving their  homage  and  obedience,  as  the 
King  and  Captain  of  their  salvation.  When 
the  believer  sincerely  embraces  his  Saviour 


Thursday  Evening,  1 1 1 

in  all  these  glorious  offices,  as  the  eternal  Son 
of  the  Father,  as  the  illustrious  Prophet  of 
the  Highest,  as  the  atoning  Priest  and  Inter- 
cessor  of  his  people,  as  the  resistless  King 
and  Captain  of  their  salvation — adoration, 
gratitude,  love,  and  joy,  will  swell  his  soul. 
Every  thought,  every  power,  every  affection, 
will  celebrate  the  Saviour's  glory.  Uniform, 
sincere,  zealous  obedience,  will  attest  the 
sincerity  of  the  ardent  devotion  of  the  believer 
to  his  Almighty  Lord  and  King. 

From  a  lively  belief  in  the  divine  character 
and  glorious  offices  of  the  Saviour,  thou  must 
derive,  O  my  soul,  peace,  holiness,  and  con- 
solation. And  this  faith  should  be  in  holy 
exercise  when  thou  art  to  partake  of  that  or- 
dinance, the  efficacy  of  which  will  depend  on 
thy  lively  apprehension  of  that  Saviour,  whom 
it  sets  forth  as  thy  strength  and  refuge. 

Contemplate  then  the  Saviour,  with  lively 
faith,  as  the  eternal  Son  of  the  Father. 

The  voice  of  the  prophets,  his  forerunners ; 
the  declarations  of  his  inspired  apostles  at- 
testing his  own  pretensions ;  the  exalted  offices 
which  he  came  to  execute ;  the  glorious  tri-^ 
umphs  of  his  cross;  the  eternal  throne,  on 
which  he  governs,  and  will,  finally,  judge  the 
world  ;  all  proclaim  his  divine  dignity  and 
glory,  and  urge  thee,  with  supreme  faith,  to 
adore  him  as  thy  Lord  and  thy  God,  Hear 
the  glorious  names  and  titles  of  divinity  con- 
ferred by  the  prophets  on  the  Messiah  that 
was  to  come — *'  Emanuel,  God  with  us — Tho 


112  Thursday  Evening, 

3^ightj/  God— The  Lord  our  righteousness— 
The  Lord  who  shall  suddenly  come  to  his 
temple — The  God  whose  throne  is  for  ever 
and  ever."    Hear  the  united  testimony  of  the 
holy  apostles,  who,  in  declaring  that  Christ 
was  "  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,"  and  that  in 
him  "  dwelt  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead," 
only  confirm  the  divine  pretensions  ofJesuB 
himself,  "  I  and  the  Father  am  one — I  am 
Alpha  and   Omega,  the  beginning  and  the 
end,  the  first  and  the  last,  which  was,  and 
which  is,  and  which  is  to  come,  the  Almighty  J'^ 
The  exalted  offices  which  he  came  to  execute — 
to  unfold  the  eternal  counsels  of  the  Father — 
to  establish  the  everlasting  rules  of  truth  and 
duty — to  satisfy  the  claims  of  divine  holiness 
and  justice — to  demolish  the  dominion  which 
sin  and  death  had  established  over  mankind — 
to  open  the  gates  of  everlasting  bliss  which 
divine  wrath  had  closed  against  a  guilty  world 
— these  are  offices  which  a  creature,  stamped 
with  native  weakness,  could  never  execute — 
they  require  the  omnipotent  strength  of  the 
Creator  of  the  universe — they  claim  for  Jesus, 
who  triumphantly  executes  them,  divine  and 
eternal  powers.     The  triumphs  of  his  cross, 
which  bore  down   the  opposing  prejudices, 
learning,  and  power  of  the  world,  and  still 
reduces  under  its  sway  the  perverse  imagina- 
tions of  the  heart,  proclaim  the  divinity  of 
that  Jesus  who,  though  he  suffered  as  a  male- 
factor, confers   upon  the  cross,  which   was 
the  mark  of  ignominy,  these  divine  powers. 


Thursday  Evening.  113 

View,  finally,  the  glorious  throne  on  which 
he  sfoverns,  and  will,  at  last,  judge  the  world. 
What  divine  splendour  surrounds  it — How 
extensive  and  resistless  its  dominion — How 
powerful  its  decrees — What  thunders  burst 
from  it,  on  the  impenitent  adversaries  of  God 
— What  immortal  felicities  are  dispensed  from 
it  to  his  obedient  subjects — What  divine  and 
immortal  honours  are  paid  to  the  glorious 
Personage  who  is  sealed  on  it,  holding  "  the 
keys  of  hell  and  death" — "  Thousand  thou- 
sands stand  before  him,  ten  thousand  times 
ten  thousand  minister  unto  him." — The  host 
of  heaven  present  their  eternal  adoration  to 
him,  who  is  infinitely  exalted  above  the  most 
perfect  of  their  celestial  orders,  "  the  King 
of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords."  Ah,  my  soul, 
these  are  illustrious  proofs  that  he  with  whom 
thou  art  to  confide  thy  everlasting  salvation, 
is,  indeed,  thy  Lord  and  thy  God,  claiming 
thy  most  profound  homage,  thy  unbounded 
confidence,  thy  unreserved  submission.  In 
every  view  which  faith  opens  to  thee  of  the 
Saviour,  fix  thy  contemplations  on  the  glory 
of  liis  divine  nature.  When  thou  dost  repose 
on  the  omnipotent  arm  of  a  divine  Saviour, 
the  emotions  of  love  shall  be  exalted,  the 
ardours  of  hope  strengthened,  the  triumphs 
of  thy  faith  shall  rise  above  all  the  enemies 
of  thy  salvation.  What  sublime  avye  surr 
rounds  the  symbols  of  the  altar,  when  faith 
discloses  to  thee  the  glories  of  Ihe  incarnate 
God,  whom  they  set  forth !    Oh !  wli^t  revC'^ 


114  Thursday  Evening, 

rential,  yet  what  delightful  emotions  swell  the 
bosom  of  the  believing  communicant,  when, 
in  the  reception  of  the  sacred  elements,  he 
enjoys  the  exalted  assurance,  that  he  is  united 
to  a  divine  Saviour — that  he  is  admitted  into 
communion  with  the  Son  of  God — that  in  the 
person  of  that  blessed  Redeemer,  to  whom 
he  has  committed  the  salvation  of  his  soul, 
dwell  all  those  divine  attributes  which  are 
calculated  to  invigorate  his  love,  his  gratitude, 
his  joy,  his  holy  triumphs. 

The  lively  exercises  of  faith  should  be  di- 
rected to  thu  Saviour  as  the  divine  Prophet, 
by  whom  we  are  instructed  in  the  laws  and 
counsels  of  God. 

Through  him  were  the  beams  of  truth  to 
be  shed  on  a  world  enveloped  with  the  shades 
of  error — through  him  was  the  benighted 
mind  to  be  enlightened  in  that  spiritual  know- 
ledge which  its  most  exalted  researches  could 
never  attain.  Behold,  O  my  soul,  what  in- 
finite claims,  as  thy  divine  instructor,  the 
Saviour  possesses  to  thy  reverence  and  obe- 
dience. He  whom  thou  art  to  receive  as  thy 
Prophet,  is  himself  the  eternal  Word — he  was 
from  all  eternity  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father 
— in  him  dwelt  the  Holy  Spirit  without  mea- 
sure. Perfectly  acquainted,  therefore,  must 
he  have  been  with  the  will  of  his  Almighty 
Father.  To  the  prophetic  office  he  was  illus- 
triously inaugurated,  by  the  overshadowing  of 
the  Highest,  by  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
by  the  solemn  declaration  of  the  Father,  this 


T/nirsday  Evemng.  115 

is  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him.  Gloriously 
does  this  divine  Prophet  execute  his  office. 
A  luminous  revelation  of  divine  truth,  de- 
veloping the  attributes  of  the  Godhead,  the 
means  of  access  to  the  throne  of  offended 
justice,  the  universal  circle  of  religions,  moral, 
and  social  duties,  the  eternal  mansions  be- 
yond the  grave,  did  this  celestial  Prophet 
promulgate.  By  stupendous  miracles,  which 
proved  that  his  power  was  from  on  his^h,  did 
he  enforce  his  doctrines — by  his  own  splendid 
example,  did  he  urge  his  holy  precepts — by 
the  shedding  of  his  precious  blood,  did  he 
put  the  seal  to  the  divinity  of  his  mission. 
Evangelists  and  apostles  he  inspired  to  pro- 
claim his  Gospel  to  the  world — in  the  oracles 
of  the  law  and  the  testimony,  we  still  behold 
the  divine  truths  of  salvation — through  the 
ministrations  and  ordinances  of  the  sanctuary, 
Christ,  our  Almighty  Prophet,  still  sheds  on 
the  soul  that  enlighteninof  radiance  which 
discloses  to  her  the  excellence  and  consola- 
tions of  divine  truth.  Oh!  my  soul;  when  the 
blindness,  the  depravity  of  human  reason, 
forced  upon  thee  by  thy  own  experience,  and 
by  the  view  of  the  world  sunk  in  ignorance 
and  error,  awaken  the  anxious  desire  to  find 
a  refuge  from  thy  perplexing  doubts  in  the 
bosom  of  an  infallible  instructor — embrace, 
by  faith,  th^t  holy  Jesus  who  was  "  anointed 
with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  power,"  "  to 
preach  good  tidings  unto  the  meek,"  "  to 
put  his  laws  into  the  hearts,"  and  "  to  write 


116  Thursday  Evening. 

them  upon  the  minds'*  of  the  children  of  men- 
Bring  all  thy  errors,  thy  doubts,  and  preju- 
dices at  his  feet;  humbly  implore  that  guid- 
ance which  will  translate  thee  from  the  dark- 
ness of  natural  reason  into  the  light  of  celes- 
tial truth.  liet  every  approach  to  the  holy 
supper  be  embraced  with  ardour,  as  affording 
thee  an  opportunity  of  renewing  the  exercises 
of  faith  in  Christ,  thy  divine  Prophet,  and  of 
contemplating  with  admiration  and  gratitude 
the  excellencies  of  that  instructor,  on  whose 
head  rests  the  radiance  of  the  Godhead^  from 
whose  lips  flow  the  accents  of  truth.  At  the 
altar,  where  thou  dost  commemorate  the  in- 
finite condescension  of  this  divine  guide,  seal 
thy  vows  of  bringing  every  thought  into  cap- 
tivity to  his  obedience,  and  of  embracing,  as 
the  subjects  of  thy  daily  and  reverential  medi- 
tations, as  the  standards  by  which  thy  opinions 
are  to  be  formed  and  thy  practice  regulated, 
as  the  infallible  guides  by  which  thou  art  to 
be  conducted  through  the  mazes  of  error  and 
sin,  to  the  glorious  fulness  of  eternal  truth — 
the  inestimable  revelations  and  laws  of  that 
blessed  Redeemer,  who  only  is  the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life. 

Behold  what  exalted  claims  the  Saviour 
possesses  to  thy  lively  faitii  as  a  gracious 
Priest  and  Intercessor, 

For  man  sunk  under  the  condemniner  sen- 
tence of  a  violated  law,  and  obnoxious  to 
divine  wrath,  he  ''  gave  himself  an  offering, 
and  sacrifice  unto  God-"     "  Holy,  harmless. 


Thursday  Evening,  117 

undefiled,"  shedding  over  the  atonement 
which  he  offered,  the  glories  of  his  divinity, 
he  made  "  a  full,  free,  and  sufficient  sacrifice, 
oblation,  and  satisfaction  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world."  Ascending  up  on  high,  into 
the  holy  of  holies,  not  made  with  hands,  he 
presents  before  the  altar  of  divine  justice  the 
all-sufficient  incense  of  his  merits,  and  averts 
from  all  penitent  believers  the  wrath  of  an 
indignant  Judge.  Seated  on  the  right  hand 
of  God,  "  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession 
for  us" — he  implores  from  his  Almighty  Fa- 
ther the  blessings  of  pardon,  grace,  and  holi- 
ness, which,  through  him,  descend  on  his 
penitent  people. 

Infinitely  glorious  and  powerful,  O  my  soul, 
Is  the  gracious  High  Priest  through  whose 
merits  and  intercession  thou  art  to  be  restored 
to  the  reconciled  countenance  of  thy  oflfended 
God.  Vested  with  almighty  power  to  save 
those  who  were  the  purchase  of  his  blood,  in 
enlivening  language  he  declares  the  riches  of 
his  redemption,  and  invites  the  humble  and 
penitent  to  come  and  receive  the  satisfying 
fulness  of  his  love.  I  have  been  crushed  in 
the  wine-press  by  the  arm  of  divine  justice.  I 
have  drunk  the  aregs  of  that  cup  of  trembling 
into  which  the  Almighty  Father,  incensed  at 
your  presumptuous  rebellion,  emptied  the  vials 
of  his  wrath.  But  1  was  wounded  for  your 
transgressions ;  I  was  bruised  for  your  ini- 
quities ;  the  chastisement  of  your  peace  was 
upon  me ;  and  by  my  stripes  ye  are  healed* 


118  Thursday  Evening, 

Yes,  the  sentence  of  condemnation  gone  forth 
against  you  I  have  nailed  to  my  cross.  My 
blood  has  flowed  an  all-sufficient  ransom  for 
the  guilty.  Sprinkled  on  the  mercy-seat,  it 
ascends  as  acceptable  incense  to  the  Father, 
and  propitiates  his  justice.  By  the  blood  of 
my  cross  have  I  made  peace.  Crowned  for 
the  suffering  of  death  with  glory  and  honour, 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father,  I  am  exalted, 
the  prevailing  Intercessor  for  the  guilty  sons 
of  men,  dispensing  pardon  to  the  humble  and 
penitent.  Come  then  unto  me,  all  ye  who 
labour  and  are  heavy  kden,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest.  Be  not  dismayed  by  the  number 
or  enormity  of  your  sins  which  call  for  ven- 
geance. All  powerful  is  the  efficacy  of  my 
blood.  Though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they 
shall  be  white  as  sr>ow;  though  they  be  red 
like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as  wool. 

O  my  soul,  let  the  affectionate  invitation  of 
thy  compassionate  High  Priest  excite  thee 
to  place  thy  supreme  confidence  in  his  all- 
sufficient  merits  and  prevailing  intercession. 
When   discerning   the   inflexible    claims   of 
God's  justice,  and  the  unspotted  rigour  of 
divine  holiness,  thou  dost  tremble  under  the 
sentence  of  condemnation  which  thy  sins  have 
merited,  look  with  lively  and  joyful  afl[iance 
to  that  compassionate  Saviour  who  has  expi- 
ated thy  guilt  by  the  merits  of  his  blood. 
The  divine  fountain,  whence  flow  the  streams 
of  pardon  and  comfort,  is  still  opened  in  that 
ordinance  which  the  Redeemer  instituted  as 


Thursday  Evening,  119 

the  memorial  of  his  wsufferings,  and  the  pledge 
of  thy  salvation.  There  thy  compassionate 
High  Priest  is  wailing  to  sprinkle  thee  with 
that  precious  blood  which  will  be  the  pledge 
of  thy  deliverance  from  the  stroke  of  divine 
justice.  Behold  !  infinite  mercy  and  infinite 
power  surround  the  Saviour  with  their  glori- 
ous effulgence,  and  invite  the  fervours  of  con- 
fidence, the  triumphs  of  holy  hope*  Wretched 
and  guilty,  flee  to  this  friend  of  the  wretched, 
this  almighty  Saviour  of  sinners,  devoting 
thyself  to  his  service,  rendering  him  thy 
homage  and  trust;  Sheltered  in  his  compas- 
sionate bosom,  thou  shall  view,  undismayed, 
the  storms  of  wrath  that  overwhelm  the  un" 
godly.  By  the  merits  and  power  of  this  great 
High  Priest  of  thy  salvation,  thou  shalt  be 
conducted  to  the  light  of  the  reconciled  coun- 
tenance of  thy  heavenly  Father.  The  blood 
of  the  all-sufiicient  victim,  which  still,  under 
a  lively  symbol,  flows  on  the  altar,  received 
by  steadfast  faith,  will  allay  every  doubt  and 
pang  which  thy  guilty  fears  awakeneth,  and 
pour  upon  thee  unfailing  consolations.  O 
thou  gracious  Saviour,  the  merciful  High 
Priest,  through  whom  we  have  access  unto 
the  Father,  impotent  are  the  highest  eflforts 
of  the  soul  to  conceive  the  glories  o^  thy 
righteousness,  the  merit  of  thy  intercessioir. 
Impotent  are  our  most  exalted  feelings,  to 
render  thee  the  just  tribute  of  gratitude  for 
that  ineflfable  peace  which  the  healing  balm 


120  Thursday  Evening. 

of  thy  mercy  dispenses  to  the  bosom  that 
reposses  upon  thee. 

Behold,  O  my  soul,  the  exalted  claims  of 
Jesus  to  thy  homage,  thy  submission  and 
obedience,  as  thy  Almighty  King, 

He  is  the  eternal  King  whom  God  hath 
"  set  upon  the  holy  hill  of  Zion — of  the  in- 
crease of  whose  government  there  shall  be 
no  end.  He  is  the  head  of  all  principality 
and  power.  At  his  divine  name  every  knee 
shall  bow,  of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in 
earth,  and  things  under  the  earth."  By  the 
sovereign  power  of  God  was  Jesus  exalted^ 
in  his  human  nature,  to  the  throne  of  the 
universe.  "  God  raised  him  from  the  dead, 
and  set  him  at  his  own  right  hand,  far  above 
all  principality,  and  power,  and  might,  and 
dominion."  "  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the 
earth,"  and  head  of  all  the  armies  of  heaven, 
he  hath  "  on  his  vesture  and  on  his  thigh  a 
name  written.  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of 
lords,"  O  my  soul,  with  the  homage  of  livtily 
faith,  shouldesi  thou  submit  to  that  gloiious 
King  by  whose  grace  alone  thou  canst  be 
redeemed  from  the  bondage  of  sm,  by  whose 
glmighty  power  alone  thou  canst  be  rescued 
from  the  dominion  o^  death  and  the  grave. 

In  vain  wilt  thou  attempt  to  break  the 
chains  of  sm,  unless  thy  Almighty  King  exerts 
the  sceptre  of  his  grace.  Errors  and  preju- 
dices duud  thy  understanding;  sensual  appe- 
tites and  passions  debase  thy  powers ;  temp- 


Thursday  Evening,  121 

tation  seduces  and  enthrals  thee.  Sinking 
in  despair,  raise  the  ardours  of  holy  faith  to 
the  glorious  King,  who,  in  the  accents  of 
animating  triumph^  invites  thee  to  repose  on 
his  almighty  arm-^I  am  he  who  giveth  you 
the  victory.  The  spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon 
me,  for  he  hath  anointed  me  to  proclaim 
liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the  opening  of  the 
prison  to  them  that  are  bound.  Strengthen 
the  weak  hands,  and  confirm  the  feeble  knees. 
My  grace  shall  be  sufficient  for  you,  my 
strength  shall  be  made  perfect  in  your  weak- 
ness. Fear  not  then,  for  I  am  with  you.  Be 
not  dismayed,  for  I  am  your  God.  I  will 
strengthen  you,  I  will  help  you,  I  will  uphold 
you  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness. 
Trust  in  me  for  ever,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah 
there  is  everlasting  strength.  O  my  soul, 
bow  with  sub  ni^ssive  iiid  holy  confidence  to 
the  sceptre  of  thy  glorious  and  invincible 
Redeemer.  He  will  subdue  thy  rebellious 
passions,  and  introduce  the  celestial  reign  of 
peace  and  love.  Wait  upon  him  with  perse- 
vering faith,  in  that  ordinance  where  he  dis- 
penses the  pledges  of  his  grace,  and  thou 
shalt  see  his  salvation  displayed  in  thy  re- 
demption from  the  bondage  of  sin.  Rescued 
by  his  grace  from  the  dominion  of  unholy 
passions,  thou  shalt  rejoice  in  the  glorious 
liberty  of  the  sons  of  God. 

O  my  soul,  when  thou  hast  escaped  from 
the  dominion  of  sin,  a  contest  still  more  for- 
midable awaits  thee.     Deaths  thy  implacable 

L 


122  Thursday  Everdng^ 

enemy,  will  seek  to  crush  thee.  Whence 
wilt  thou  derive  the  armour  that  will  enable 
thee  to  quench  his  fiery  darts,  and  to  bind, 
under  thy  victorious  feet,  this  tyrant  of  the 
human  race  I  What  power  will  exalt  thee  to 
those  seals  of  blessedness  which  no  strength 
of  nature  can  attain,  and  which  infinitely  ex- 
ceed the  merit  of  thy  virtues  \  Thy  Almighty 
King,  in  majestic  power,  proclaims  himself 
the  glorious  Conqueror,  under  whose  banners 
thou  art  to  be  led  to  victory  over  death  and 
the  grave.  I  am  he  that  liveth  and  was  dead  ; 
and,  behold,  I  am  alive  for  evermore,  and 
Iiave  the  keys  of  hell  and  of  death.  O  death, 
I  have  been  thy  plagues;  O  grave,  1  have 
been  thy  destruction.  Fear  not  then,  ye  who 
iiumbly  repose  on  my  omnipotent  arm.  I  will 
redeem  you  from  death,  1  will  ransom  you 
from  the  power  of  the  grave.  Your  corrup- 
tion shali  put  on  incorruption,  and  your  mortal 
immortaiiiy.  In  that  glorious  kingdom  on 
which  I  have  entered,  I  have  prepared  seats 
for  you ;  and  where  1  am,  there  ye  shall  be 
also.  Thy  Almighty  Saviour  and  King,  O  my 
soul,  after  having  conducted  thee  triumphantly 
through  the  assaults  of  thy  spiritual  foes,  will 
not  desert  thee  in  that  last  awful  conflict, 
when  death  enfolds  thee  in  his  embrace. 
Faith  in  that  Almighty  King,  wiiose  unseen 
but  po\verful  arm  supports  thee,  will  enable 
thee  to  re{)el  the  assaults  of  thy  foe. 

In  the  ardours  of  lively  faith  and  gratitude, 
O,  then^  for  ever  magnify  the  all-conquering 


<yh 


Thursday  Evening,  12 

power  of  the  King  and  Captain  of  thy  salva- 
tion. To  invigorate  thy  confidence,  and  to 
enliven  thy  hope,  he  provides  for  thee,  in  his 
lioly  supper,  pledges  of  liis  grace  and  love. 
Penetrate,  then,  through  the  vail  of  sense^ 
and  in  the  humble  elements  of  the  altar  be- 
hold, by  the  eye  of  faith,  the  immortal  body 
and  blood  of  thy  Redeemer,  by  v/hich  thou 
art  nourished  and  strengthened  to  everlasting- 
life.  On  the  altar  Jesus  erects  the  throne  of 
resistless  dominion,  and  extends  that  sceptre 
which  is  the  pledge  of  triumph  to  his  followers 
over  the  assaults  of  the  powers  of  darkness. 
Be  it  thy  habitual  care  to  renew,  in  the  holy 
eucharist,  thy  vows  of  faith  in  thy  divine 
Redeemer,  of  subjection  to  his  sovereign 
sway.  His  body  and  blood  shall  nourish  and 
strengthen  thee  to  everlasting  life.  Oh  !  es- 
teem it  a  glorious  privilege  which  should  ex- 
cite thy  most  lively  gratitude,  that  during  thy 
wearisome  sojourn  in  this  vale  of  tears,  thou 
art  permitted  to  refresh  thy  drooping  spirits 
at  tiie  fountain  of  immortal  joys.  Ever  has- 
ten, with  reverent  and  holy  triumph,  to  that 
ordinance,  where  thy  glorious  King  dispenses 
strength,  victory,  eternal  life.  There  prepare 
thyself,  by  invigorating  supplies  of  grace,  for 
the  conflict,  which,  before  the  crown  of  glory 
rewards  thee,  thou  must  sustain  with  the  King 
of  Terrors.  And  when  the  pangs  of  sickness, 
or  the  decays  of  frail  nature,  proclaim  the 
near  approach  of  thy  last  enemy,  seek,  with 
'  renewed  frequency  and  fervour,  the  pledges 


124  lliw'sdaij  Evening. 

of  thy  Redeemer's  ^race  conveyed  to  thee  in 
his  holy  supper.  Hope,  peace,  and  consola- 
tion, shall  flow  upon  thy  spirit.  The  immortal 
VIATICUM,  transfusing  divine  energy,  shall 
support  thee  through  the  darkest  shadows  of 
the  vale  of  death.  Under  the  guidance  of  the 
Almighty  Captain  of  thy  salvation,  mounting 
the  everlasting  hills,  thou  shalt  reach  the  city 
of  the  living  God.  In  the  glorious  temple  of 
the  celestial  Zion,  those  who  have  been  re- 
deemed by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  shall 
"  serve  God  day  and  night;  they  shall  hunger 
no  more,  nor  thirst  any  more,  neither  shall 
the  sun  light  upon  them,  nor  any  heat.  For 
the  Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne 
shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto 
living  fjuntiiius  of  water,  and  God  shall  wipe 
away  all  tears  from  their  eyes." 

Blessing,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power, 
be  unto  thee,  O  holy  Jesus.  Eternal  Son  of 
the  Father,  who,  as  our  divine  Prophet,  dost 
instruct  and  guide  us ;  who,  as  our  gracious 
High  Priest,  dost  intercede  for  us,  and  bless 
us  ;  who,  as  our  Almighty  King,  dost  redeem 
ns  from  the  bondage  of  sin  and  J^atan,  and 
e.xalt  us,  victorious  over  death  and  the  grave, 
to  the  immortal  glories  of  thy  throne. 


THE  PRAYER. 

Almighty  God,  who  hast  displayed  thine  iur 
fmitt  wisdoHi  and  goodnr-?s,  in  the  covenant  of 
mercy  which  thou  hast  offered  to  fallen  man  ;  open 


Thursday  Evening,  125 

mine  understanding  to  discern  the  excellence  and 
glory  of  this  wonderful  dispensation  of  grace;  and 
may  my  heart  be  impressed  with  the  emotions  of 
reverence,  gratitude,  and  love.  With  deep  and 
grateful  humility  I  adore  thee.  Almighty  Father, 
that  thou  hast  appointed,  as  the  Mediator  of  this 
gracious  covenant,  thy  eternal  and  only-begottea 
Son,  "  the  brightness  of  thy  glory,  and  the  express 
image  of  thy  person."  I  adore  thee,  that  the  Re- 
deemer who  is  to  restore  fallen  man  to  thy  favour, 
possesses  those  divine  powers  and  glories  which 
render  him  at  once  the  object  of  holy  adoration 
and  worship,  and  of  lively  gratitude,  confidence, 
and  love.  Glory  be  unto  thee,  O  God,  for  thy 
unspeakable  mercy  and  grace  in  Jesus  Christ,  who, 
as  God,  \s7nighty  to  save — as  man,  istonchedtvith 
a  fcelbig  for  my  infirmities,  O  may  I  humbly 
ajid  thankfully  commit  the  salvation  of  my  soul  to 
that  blessed  Jesus,  whom  thou  hast  "  anointed  with 
the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  power ;"  whom  thou 
liast  "  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation  for  the  sins  of 
the  world;"  whom  thou  hast  exalted  to  be  "  a 
Priiice  and  a  Saviour,"  to  redeem  guilty  and 
perishing  man.  In  all  his  divine,  glorious,  and 
consoling  offices,  nray  my  understanding  clearly 
and  fully  discern  him — my  soul  submissivelv  and 
triumphantly  embrace  him. 

As  the  eternal  Son  ofthn  Father^  may  I  bow 
before  him  with  reverence^  and  homage —may  I  as- 
cribe unto  him  glory  and  dominion — may  I  magnify 
the  divine  fulness  of  his  mercy,  and  the  almighty 
energies  of  his  grace — may  I  evermore  triumph- 
antly rejoice  in  the  certaintv,  the  all-sufficiency, 
the  everlasting  glories  of  liis  salvation. 

Grant,  O  God,  that  embracing  by  faith  the  Sa- 
L2 


126  Thursday  Evening, 

viour  as  my  divine  Prophet  and  Instructor^  I  may 
evermore  revere  tiie  glorious  lustre  which  sur- 
rounds him — may  implicitly  receive  his  illustrious 
revelations  as  the  only  standard  of  truth  and  duty — 
may  study,  with  devout  admiration  and  gratitude, 
his  hallowed  doctrines  and  precepts — and  with 
humble  fidelity  and  zeal  seek  to  bring  all  the 
powers  of  my  soul  into  obedience  to  the  instruction 
of  this  divine  Teacher  whom  thou  hast  sent. 

As  my  gracious  and  compassionate  Priest  and 
Intercessor^  may  I  gratefully  revere  and  celebrate 
his  mercy  and  grace — may  I  apply  to  his  precious 
blood  for  pardon  and  peace — through  his  media- 
tion and  intercession  alone,  may  1  seek  an  access 
to  the  throne  of  thy  mercy. 

As  my  Almighty  King^  may  I  evermore  adore 
his  eternal  glory,  his  invincible  power — may  I  hum- 
bly submit  to  the  sceptre  of  his  righteous  dominion 
— may  I  sacredly  observe  his  holy  decrees  and 
laws,  threats  and  promises — on  his  omnipotent  arm 
may  1  ever  place  my  supreme  reliance  for  victory 
over  my  spiritual  foes,  for  redemption  from  death 
and  the  grave. 

And,  oh!  thou  holy  Jesus,  eternal  Son  of  the 
Father,  have  mercy  upon  me.  *'  Thou  who  only 
art  holy,  who  only  art  the  Lord,  who  only  art  most 
high  in  the  glory  of  God  the  Father,  grant  me  thy 
peace." 

Divine  Prophet  of  the  Highest,  illumine  mine 
understanding  with  celestial  truth ;  instruct  me  in 
the  knowledge  and  love  of  the  Father;  guide  me 
in  the  way  of  righteousness  and  peace. 

Gracious  and  prevailing  Priest  and  Intercessor, 
sprinKk  my  guilty  soul  with  the  blood  of  the  atone- 
ment ;  and  present  it  pure  and  spotless  before  the 


Thursday  Evejiirig,  127 

Father.  "  By  thine  unknown  and  dreadful  ago- 
nies," by  the  all-sufficiency  of  tiiy  atonement,  by 
the  mighty  power  of  thy  death,  by  all  that  thou 
hast  done  and  all  that  thou  hast  suffered,  intercede 
for  me  and  bless  me,  most  compassionate  Je^us. 

O  thou  Almighty  King,  to  whom  the  Father 
hath  given  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth, 
stretch  out  thy  omnipotent  arm  and  save  me; 
subdue  every  thought,  desire,  and  passion  that 
riseth  in  rebellion  against  thee ;  purify  my  heart 
by  the  mighty  power  of  thy  grace ;  "  guide  and 
govern  both  my  soul  atid  body  in  the  ways  of  thy 
law,  and  in  the  w.^rks  of  thy  commandment-, ;"  in 
every  difficulty  and  trial,  be  thou  my  Almigiity 
Helper  and  Defender ;  over  all  my  spiritual  ene- 
mies enable  me  to  rise  triumphant ;  and  finally,  O 
thou  omnipotent  Saviour,  exalt  me,  sanctified  by 
thy  grace,  and  redeemed  by  thy  power,  to  the 
immortal  seats  of  bliss  which  thou  hast  prepared 
for  thy  people. 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  thou  most  high  God, 
that  in  Jesus  the  Mediator  thou  hast  engaged,  for 
my  salvation,  omnipotent  power  and  infinite  love. 
Blessed  be  thy  name,  that  thou  dost  invite  me  to 
that  sacred  banquet,  where  the  illuminating  i^^uid- 
ance  of  Jesus  the  divine  Prophet,  the  all-sufficient 
atonement  of  Jesus  the  merciful  Hi^jh  Priest,  the 
almighty  power  of  Jesus  the  glorious  King,  are 
provided  for  the  instruction,  comfort,  and  salvatif)n 
of  the  humble  and  penitenn  Earnestly  imploring 
thy  guidance,  confiding  in  thy  mercy,  and  dedicat- 
ing myself  to  thy  service,  may  I  repair  to  thy  akar, 
and  there  experience  that  thou  art  as  infi^ine  in 
compassion  mk  mi(jhty  in  power,  through  Jesus 
Christ  my  Lord  and  Redeemer.     Ametu 


128  Friday  Morning. 

FRIDAY  MOMXIJTG. 


MEDITATION. 

Thankful  remembrance  of  Christ's  Death. 

The  devout  communicant  is  called  to  pre- 
pare for  participating  in  the  Lord's  Supper, 
by  cherishing  a  tha7ikful  renie?nbrance  of  the 
death  of  Christ.  This  sacred  ordinance  is, 
indeed,  powerfully  calculated  to  impress  on 
the  mind  the  most  lively  idea  of  the  sufferings 
of  the  Redeemer.  The  period  of  its  institu- 
tion carries  us  back  to  that  dark  hour,  when 
the  blessed  Jesus,  whose  life  had  exhibited 
one  continued  course  of  beneficence,  in  the 
near  prospect  of  an  ignominious  death,  was 
bestowing  on  the  beloved  companions  of  his 
sufferings,  his  mournful  blessing,  and  laying 
upon  them  the  injunctions  of  his  dying  hjve. 
It  brings  to  our  view,  in  all  its  direful  horrors, 
and  in  all  its  affecting  glory,  the  cross;  on 
which,  as  on  an  altar,  the  Saviour  was  con- 
sumed by  the  fires  of  divine  justice  ;  and  on 
which  he  poured  out  his  life  a  sacrifice  tor 
the  sins  of  the  world.  This  holy  ordinance 
presents  to  the  view  of  faith,  under  forcible 
symbols,  the  victim  again  bound  and  ofiered 
on  the  altar.  Tlie  bread  broken  forcibly  re- 
calls to  our  recollection  the  sacred  body  of 
the  Saviour,  which  w;is  bruised  for  our  ini- 
qififies  by  the  arm  of  divine  wrath.  And  the 
WitfC  which  is  pressed  from  the  graf)e,  is  a 
lively  emblem  of  that  precious  blood  which 


Friday  Morning,  129 

the  burden  of  our  sins  forced  from  the  tor- 
tured body  of  the  Saviour  of  the  world.  O 
my  soul,  discern,  through  these  humble  but 
affecting  emblems,  thy  crucified  Lord  ;  and, 
penetrated  with  the  view  of  his  awful  agonies, 
render  him  the  homage  of  ardent  gratitude 
and  love. 

The  thankful  remembrance  which  thou  arc 
called  to  cherish  of  the  death  of  thy  Redeemer, 
is  not  merely  a  glow  of  sympathy  and  sorrow 
which  the  view  of  distress  is  calculated  to 
excite  in  every  heart.  Thou  art  to  contem- 
plate the  sufferings  of  Christ,  not  as  the  suf- 
ferings of  a  common  man,  but  as  the  suffer- 
ings of  a  divine  Instructor,  come  to  proclaim 
the  most  important  truths  to  the  world,  to 
enforce  and  seal  them  by  his  sufferings  and 
death  ;  and  as  the  sufferings  of  a  divine  Re- 
deemer who  atoned  for  our  sins,  and  purchas- 
ed, by  his  blood,  our  everlasting  redemption, 

Consider  the  sufferings  of  Christ  as  a  strik- 
ing seal  to  the  truth  of  his  religion. 

Consider  his  sufferings  and  death  as  the 
all-sufficient  expiation  for  the  sins  of  man. 

Finally,  consider  them  as  powerfully  enforc- 
ing the  spirit  of  meekness,  patience,  and  love, 
the  principal  characteristics  of  his  disciples. 

This  view  of  the  sufferino^s  of  Christ  will 
tend  to  excite  the  emotions  of  devout  admira-* 
tion,  faith,  gratitude,  and  love ;  and  it  will 
also  tend  to  impress  on  the  heart  the  most 
im[jortant  instruction,  the  most  grateful  con- 
solation. 


130  Friday  Morning. 

Consider  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ 
as  a  striking  seal  to  the  religion  which  he 
proclaimed. 

In  the  humble  and  suffering  Saviour,  whom 
the  altar  sets  forth,  we  behold  displayed  mag- 
nanimity, condescension,  disinterested  love, 
w^hich  call  for  our  devout  and  grateful  admira- 
tion, and  which  tend  to  excite  our  full  confi- 
dence in  the  divine  Instructor,  who,  by  these 
sufferings,  sealed  the  truth  of  his  mission. 
He  was  ushered  into  the  world,  not  amidst 
the  splendour  of  courts  and  palaces,  but 
amidst  the  inclemencies  and  the  degradation 
of  a  mano^er.  He  chose  for  his  kindred  in 
the  flesh,  not  the  noble,  the  rich,  and  the 
mighty,  but  the  humble,  the  obscure,  the 
despised.  He  selected  for  the  companions 
of  his  private  hours,  for  the  soothers  of  his 
cares  and  sorrows,  for  the  partakers  of  his 
labours  and  instructions,  not  the  learned,  the 
refined,  and  the  wealthy,  but  fisiiermen,  hum- 
ble, illiterate,  and  contemned.  He  courted 
not  the  cheering  company  of  the  gay  and  the 
opulent,  but  the  society  of  the  children  of 
poverty,  of  ignorance  and  affliction.  The 
Redeemer  did  not  surround  himself  witli  the 
trappings  of  w^ealth  and  power,  he  did  not 
court  tiie  seducing  ease  of  elevated  stations, 
and  shuii  the  walks  of  calamity  and  distress. 
Ah  !  revilings,  contempt,  insult,  repaid  all  the 
prodigies  of  love  whicii  distinguished  his  be- 
nefictnt  life.  At  the  unrighteous  judgment- 
seat  of  Pilate,  this  innocent  martvr  was  ar- 


Friday  Morn ing.  131 

raigned.  All  the  insults  and  tortures  which 
ingenious  malice  could  suggest,  were  heaped 
upon  that  bosom  which  beat  only  with  ardent 
love  to  mankind.  On  Calvary's  mount  that 
innocent  blood  was  poured  forth,  which  plead- 
ed for  mercy  on  the  barbarous  hands  that 
shed  it.  O  my  soul,  impotent  is  language  to 
do  even  feeble  justice  to  the  magnanimity, 
the  love,  of  the  holy  Jesus.  His  divifie  dignity 
and  glory  rendered  still  more  astonishing  and 
profound  his  mercy.  The  uncreated  image 
of  the  Father's  glory  \vas  born  the  child  of 
poverty  and  wretchedness.  He,  who,  in  hea- 
ven, received  the  adoration  of  the  angelic  host, 
placed  himself  among  the  ignorant  and  pro- 
fligate herd  of  publicans  and  sinners.  He, 
who  held  in  his  hand  the  thunders  of  Omni- 
potence, calmly  submitted  to  be  the  sport  of 
an  infuriate  rabble.  He,  whose  head  divine 
lustre  surrounded,  was  crowned  with  thorns, 
and  mocked  with  the  acclamations  of  his  im- 
placable enemies.  The  Lord  of  life  and 
glory,  he  who  created  and  sustains  the  worlds, 
sunk  in  the  agonies  of  death,  an  ignominious 
victim  on  the  cross.  The  bitter  sufferings 
which,  mitigated  and  cheered  by  no  friendly 
sympathy,  pursued  him,  afford  the  strongest 
proof  that  no  sinister  motives  of  pride,  of 
interest  or  ambition,  could  have  swayed  his 
breast.  The  exalted  messages  of  salvation 
which  he  proclaimed,  the  pure  and  heavenly 
precepts  which  he  inculcated,  the  works  of 
mercy  which  he  performed,  did  not  procure 


132  F>vlay  Morning. 

for  him  affection,  gratitude,  and  love;  they 
did  not  receive  the  applauses  and  honours  by 
which  the  benefactors  of  mankind  are  re- 
warded. Ah  !  contumely,  insult,  and  death, 
crowned  his  benevolent  exertions.  O  my  soul, 
thy  Saviour  exhibited,  in  his  suffering  life, 
the  strongest  proof  of  disinterested  zeal,  of 
magnanimous  virtue.  Persevering  in  his  work 
of  love,  though  contempt  and  suffering  met 
him  at  every  step ;  though  he  foresaw  that 
the  hatred  of  his  enemies  would  at  length 
prevail  in  his  destruction ;  and  that,  amidst 
their  bitter  taunts  and  revilings,  he  should 
sustain  an  ignominious  death — thy  Redeemer 
claims  thy  highest  admiration  and  confidence* 
Zeal  thus  self-denying  and  disinterested,  in 
the  pursuit  of  the  noblest  objects,  should 
silence  every  ungenerous  suspicion.  Con- 
templating the  div'.ne  fortitude  and  resolution 
with  which  the  Saviour  sealed  in  death  the 
truth  of  the  doctrines  which,  through  his  suf- 
fering life,  he  had  inculcated,  thou  shouldest 
acknowledge,  in  the  holy  fervours  of  a  faith 
like  that  which  animated  the  Centurion  be- 
holding at  the  cross  the  magnanimity  and 
patience  of  the  crucified  Redeemer — "Truly 
this  was  the  Son  of  God." 

At  the  altar,  therefore,  O  my  soul,  thou  art 
called  to  commemorate  the  sufferings  and 
death  of  a  divine  Teacher,  whose  magnani- 
mity, fortitude,  and  patience,  while  they  claim 
thy  fervent  love,  gratitude,  and  homage,  are 
powerfully  calculated  to  confirm  and  exalt 


Fridaij  Morning.  133 

the  ardours  of  thy  faith.  Contemplate  the 
gross  ignorance  of  all  the  interesting  truths 
and  duties  connected  with  the  spiritual  wel- 
fare, hopes,  and  destination  of  man,  which  en- 
veloped the  world  before  this  divine  Teacher 
rose  in  the  splendour  of  celestial  truth  and 
knowledge.  Contemplate  the  impious  super- 
stition, the  cruel  rites,  the  debasing  crimes, 
vvhich  overspread  the  world  before  this  Son 
of  Righteousness,  by  the  lustre  of  his  beams, 
chased  before  him  the  clouds  of  idolatry, 
error,  and  vice.  Then  turn  thy  view  to  the 
glorious  revelation  which  Christ  promulgated, 
to  the  splendid  lustre  which  it  sheds  on  all 
the  duties  and  all  the  hopes  of  man,  on  every 
religious  and  moral  truth,  which  can  awaken 
his  desires  or  his  fears,  which  can  conduce 
to  his  present  or  eternal  welfare.  In  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  ardent  desires 
of  the  soul,  seeking  the  path  to  duty  and  bliss 
which  a  blind  and  erring  reason  in  vain  en- 
deavoured to  discover,  are  fully  gratified — the 
way  is  tracked  out,  with  luminous  lustre,  to 
the  throne  of  God — light  and  glory  burst  from 
the  mansions  of  the  tomb.  O  my  soul,  adore 
with  lively  gratitude  and  faith  the  divine 
Teacher  who  hath  sealed  to  thee  these  glori- 
ous truths  and  hopes  by  the  testimony  of  his 
blood.  While  the  tears  of  lively  sympathy 
and  sorrow  are  shed  over  the  sacred  memo- 
rials, which  recall  to  thy  remembrance  the  un- 
paralleled sufferings  of  thy  blessed  Lord,  let 

the  altar  be  also  the  hallowed  throne  where 

M 


134  Friday  Morning, 

thou  dost  present  the  grateful  vows  of  obedi- 
ence to  that  divine  Teacher  who,  from  the 
terrors  and  agonies  of  the  cross,  sends  forth 
light,  life,  and  immortality  to  the  world. 


THE  PRAYER. 

O  MOST  merciful  God,  who  hast  given  us  thv 
only-begotten  Son  to  be  our  divine  guide  and 
teacher,  to  lead  us  from  the  darkness  of  ignorance 
and  error  into  the  light  of  thy  truth;  grant  that  the 
contemplation  of  his  patience,  his  resolution,  his 
magnanimity  and  fortitude  under  the  various  suf- 
ferings which  assailed  him,  while  it  awakens  my 
lively  gratitude,  may  serve  to  cherish  and  confirm 
my  fiiith  in  his  glorious  doctrines.  May  the  ardent, 
the  disinterested,  the  persevering  zeal,  which  the 
Saviour  displayed  in  encountering  the  malicious 
calumny  and  persecution  with  which  his  relentless 
enemies  repaid  him  for  his  benevolent  instructions, 
excite  at  once  my  admiration,  my  gratitude,  and 
steadfast  confidence.  I  bless  thee,  most  holy 
Jesus,  that  thou  wast  not  deterred  from  the  prose- 
cution ol'  thy  divine  w  ork  of  enlightening  and  re- 
storing fallen  man,  by  the  sufiTerings  and  persecu- 
tions that  assailed  thee — by  the  prospect  of  the 
ignominious  death  whieh  was  to  close  thy  infinite 
labour  of  love.  I  bless  thee,  most  holy  Jesus,  that 
by  the  shedding  of  thy  precious  blood  in  attestation 
of  the  glorious  truths  thou  didst  promulgate,  thou 
hast  afforded  the  highest  evidence  of  thy  sincerity, 
thy  disinterested  benevolence  and  zeal.  O  may  I 
evermore  love  and  serve  thee  as  a  divine  and  be- 


Friday  Morning.  135 

ncficent  teacher,  who,  in  proclaiming  and  estab- 
lisliing  the  glorious  revelation  of  mercy  and  grace, 
consulted  only  our  peace,  our  welfl^re,  our  instruc- 
tion, and  everlasting  consolation  ;  and  generously 
sacrificed  thy  own  ease,  comfort,  happiness,  and 
life.  O  may  the  commemoration  of  thy  sufterings 
and  death,  in  thy  holy  supper,  recall  to  my  awak- 
ened feelings  the  infinite  condescensions  of  thy 
love,  the  painful  sacrifices,  the  awful  conflicts, 
which  thou  didst  sustain  in  the  establishment  of 
that  dispensation  of  grace,  by  which  thou  hast 
shed  the  rays  of  immortal  truth  and  glory  on  a 
blind  and  perishing  world.  Receiving,  with  hum- 
ble gratitude  and  faith,  the  memorial  of  thy  love, 
may  I  resolutely  and  fervently  devote  myself  to 
thy  service.  Evermore  following  the  light  of  thy 
divine  instructions,  and  regulating  my  life  by  thy 
celestial  doctrines  and  precepts,  may  I  thus  evi- 
dence the  sincerity  of  my  gratitude,  my  faith,  and 
love ;  and  seek,  in  some  measure,  to  make  amends 
to  thee  for  die  contumely,  scorn,  and  suffering, 
with  which,  while  on  earth,  thy  benevolent  labours 
were  repaid.  O  thou  eternal  light  of  the  world, 
"  send  forth  thy  light  and  truth.  Let  them  lead 
me,  let  them  bring  me  to  thy  holy  hill — to  God, 
my  exceeding  joy,"  to  the  blissful  fruition  of  the 
excellency  and  glory  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen, 


I'SS-  Friday  Evening. 

FRIDAY  EVENING. 


MEDITATION. 

'I'Lankful  remeralrante  of  the  Death  of  Chi-ist — Charity  •with  i«ll  Mea/ 

Thou  hast  been  gratefully  contemplating, 
(!)  my  soul,  the  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ, 
as  affording  affecting  and  powerful  evidence 
of  the  divinity  of  his  mission  and  the  truth  of 
his  doctrine. 

Turn  now  thy  view  to  the  sufferings  and 
death  of  Christ  as  an  all-sitfficient  expiatiort 
and  atonement  for  sin. 

The  sufferings  of  Christ,  considered  as  the 
infinite  price  of  the  ransom  of  a  guilty  world, 
rise  to  the  highest  importance,  and  claim 
our  profound  adoration  and  love.  From  the 
gloom  of  suffering  and  sorrow,  the  virtues  of 
magnanimity,  patience,  and  fortitude,  shine 
forth  with  the  most  affecting  lustre.  Con- 
trasted with  the  horrors  of  that  hour  when, 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  aggravated  by  every 
painful  circumstance  of  reproach,  insult,  and 
ignominy,  our  divine  Instructor  closed  his 
suffering  life;  how  resplendent  and  endearing 
appear  the  mild  and  submissive  patience,  the 
ardent  and  benignant  love  which  he  displayed. 
Burstinix  from  the  cloud  of  sufferini^  which 
envelops  the  cross,  the  holy  Jesus  appears 
clothed  with  the  radiance  of  divine  glory,  and 
with  irresistible  authority  proclaims  to  the 
world  the  everlasting  dispensation  of  grace, 


Friday  Evening,  137 

and  imposes  the  immutable  rules  of  truth 
and  duty. 

But  when,  with  the  authority  of  a  divine 
Instructor^  we  connect  the  mercy  and  power 
of  an  almighty  Redeemer,  the  sufferings  and 
death  of  Christ,  which  before  inspired  admi- 
ration, gratitude,  and  confidence,  will  pene- 
trate us  with  emotions  of  the  most  profound 
adoration,  and  will  excite  the  liveliest  fervours 
of  love,  the  most  ardent  triumphs  of  faith.  A 
Redeemer,  who,  in  sustaining  the  penalties  of 
sin,  rescues  us  from  its  awful  condemnation; 
who,  in  sinking  under  the  stroke  of  death, 
breaks  the  sceptre  of  the  relentless  tyrant ; 
who,  in  yielding  for  a  short  period  to  the  do- 
minion of  the  prince  and  powers  of  darkness, 
bursts  the  chains  which  they  had  cast  on 
guilty  man ;  a  Redeemer,  who,  from  the  cross 
which  was  the  ignominious  scene  of  the  tem- 
porary triumphs  of  his  foes,  displays  the  ban- 
ners of  victory,  and  "proclaims  liberty  to  the 
captives,  and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to 
them  that  were  bound  ;"  a  Redeemer,  who 
thus  turns  ignominy,  suffering,  and  death,  into 
triiiiiiph,  victory,  and  glory,  presents  a  display 
of  divine  power,  which,  while  it  transcends 
our  feeble  comprehensions,  should  excite  tne 
fervours  of  adoration  and  love. 

Contemplate  then,  O  my  soul,  the  suffer- 
ings of  Christ,  as  the  price  of  thy  redemption. 
View  thyself  as  fallen  from  that  rectitude  ;ind 
glory  which  distinguished  thy  primeval  state, 
into  the  abyss  of  blindness,  depravity,  and 
M  2 


138  Friday  Evening, 

guilt.     Regard  thyself  as  having  forfeited  the 
favour  of  that  merciful  Being  whose  favour 
is  the  only  source  of  bliss,  as  obnoxious  to 
the  indignation  of  that  Almighty  Sovereign, 
whose  frown  awakens   misery  and  despair. 
Ah !  when  thou  art  thus  abased  by  the  con- 
viction of  thy  guilt  and  wretchedness,  thou 
wilt  be  able  to  estimate  the  full  value  of  those 
unparalleled  sufferings  by  which  the  Son  of 
God  achieved  thy  rescue.     Yes,  *'  while  we 
were   yet   sinners,"  in    a  state  of  rebellion 
against  the  Supreme  Majesty  of  Heaven,  of 
perverse  contempt  of  the  goodness  of  our 
Almighty  Benefactor — while  our  crimes  and 
impiety  called  for  the  arm  of  divine  justice 
to  crusli  us,  the  infinite  love  of  God  prompted 
the  wonderful   purpose  of  our  redemption  ; 
and  *'  Christ,"  the  eternal  Son,  clothed  with 
our  nature,  "  died  for  us."     The  poverty,  the 
scorn,   the   persecution,    the   ignominy,   the 
agonies  of  the  cross  which  overwhelmed  him, 
were  the  punishments  due  to  our  sins — they 
were  the  price  of  our  redemption.     Blessed 
Jesus,  we  transgressed  the  righteous  laws  of 
our  God,  and   thoUj  innocent  and  guiltless, 
didst  sustain  the  penalties  due  to  our  crimes. 
We  incurred  the  sentence  of  divine  justice, 
and  thoUy  the  immaculate  Lamb,  didst  sink 
under  its  avenging  curse.    We  were  enthralled 
by  the  chains  of  the  prince  of  darkness;  thou 
didst  sustain  the  shock  of  his  fiery  assaults, 
to  rescue  us  from  his  dominion.     We  were 
bowed  down,  the  captives  of  death,  the  tyrant 


Friday  Evening.  139 

of  our  race  ;  thou  didst  overcome  death,  and 
open  the  gate  of  everlasting  life. 

Oh !  profound  mystery  of  love,  that  calls 
for  the  deepest  adoration,  for  unceasing  and 
lively  gratitude!  O  my  soul,  is  it  possible 
for  thee  to  contemplate,  without  emotion, 
the  agonizing  sufferings  which  the  Redeemer 
sustained,  in  effecting  the  glorious  purpose 
of  his  love — thy  redemption  from  guilt,  and 
misery,  and  death  I  The  heir  of  guilt  and 
wretchedness — shall  not  the  sentiments  of 
holy  gratitude  be  excited  to  the  gracious 
Redeemer,  who,  by  offering  himself  the  victim 
to  divine  justice,  expiates  thy  guilt,  and  con- 
soles thee  with  the  offers  of  mercy  and  par- 
don \  Bound  by  the  chains  of  sin  and  death, 
wilt  thou  not  celebrate,  in  triumphant  strains, 
the  grace  of  tiiat  Almighty  Conqueror,  who, 
by  the  shedding  of  his  blood,  hath  purchased 
thy  redemption  from  this  degrading  bondage  I 
Doomed,  through  transgression,  to  sustain  the 
opposing  cares,  the  painful  changes  of  this 
vale  of  sorrow,  and  destitute  of  the  consola- 
tory assurance  that,  beyond  the  mansions  of 
the  grave,  a  day  of  rest  and  peace  shall  dawn 
upon  thee — Oh  !  shall  not  the  jubilee  of  praise 
be  directed  to  that  divine  Saviour,  who,  hav- 
ing passed  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 
of  death,  hath  chased  from  it  the  spectres 
that  hold  in  it  their  reign,  and  opened  to  thee 
a  passage  to  immortal  glory  1 

That  thankful  remembrance  of  the  death  of 
Christ,  with  which  it  is  thy  duty  always  to 


140  Friday  Evening. 

icommemorate  his  love  in  the  holy  supper, 
will  be  most  strongly  cherished  by  frequently 
considering  the  state  of  condemnation  and 
misery  from  which  the  Saviour,  by  his  death, 
redeemed  thee;  and  the  exalted  blessings 
which,  through  his  mediation,  are  conferred 
upon  thee.  Accustomed  ever  to  consider  the 
cross  of  Christ  as  the  fountain  whence  flow 
all  thy  spiritual  hopes  and  consolations,  it 
will  be  endeared  to  thee  as  the  pledge  of  thy 
salvation  ;  and  at  the  altar  thou  wilt  fix  the 
eye  of  grateful  faith  on  the  Lamb  of  God, 
who,  by  the  sufferings  and  death  there  com- 
memorated, hath  taken  away  the  sin  of  the 
uorlcL 

Let  the  awful  exhibition  of  divine  justice 
in  that  sacrifice  which,  under  lively  symbols, 
is  set  forth  at  the  altar,  impress  thee,  O  my 
soul,  with  a  sense  of  the  inflexible  indignation 
of  God  against  the  impenitent  transgressors 
of  his  laws.  If  God  witliheM  not  the  sword 
of  his  justice,  though  it  penetrated  the  bosom 
of  his  beloved  Son,  clothed,  in  the  person  of 
man,  with  the  sins  of  the  world,  will  he  spare 
the  impenitent  sinner  who  defies  the  awful 
display  of  justice,  and  contemns  the  affecting 
manifestation  of  divine  mercy  which  the  cross 
affords? 

But  if  thou  art  deeply  penitent  for  thy 
offences,  and  sincerely  disposed  to  renounce 
and  forsake  them,  approach  th(^  altar;  and 
while  thou  dost  there  contemplate  the  lively 
memorials  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  thy 


Friday  Evening,  14i 

Lord,  thankfully  celebrate  the  triumphs  of  his 
cross  by  whicti  thy  redemption  was  effected. 
From  the  cross,  where  an  all-sufficient  victim 
satisfies  the  claims  of  divine  justice,  beams 
that  mercy  which  diffuses  joy  through  the 
troubled  spirit.  There  flows  that  precious 
blood  which  will  wash  away  the  stains  of  sin. 
In  the  agonies  of  the  Lord  of  life,  the  exac- 
tions of  divine  justice  are  fulfilled  to  tlie 
uttermost.  The  righteous  Judge  of  heaven 
and  earth,  beholding  the  authority  of  his  laws, 
which  had  been  violated,  fully  vindicated,  ex- 
tends the  sceptre  of  mercy  to  the  penitent 
oflfender.  Oh  I  then,  my  soul,  let  the  altar 
which  conveys  to  thee  the  merits  and  bless- 
ings of  the  cross,  ever  witness  thy  humble 
penitence,  thy  grateful  recollection  of  that 
ignominious  death,  which  was  the  price  of 
thy  salvation.  And  when  the  sacred  dements, 
received  by  lively  faith,  convey  to  thee  the 
strengthening  virtue  of  the  body  and  blood 
of  Christ,  let  the  ardent  expressions  of  grati- 
tude ascend  to  that  God  who,  on  the  throne 
of  mercy,  is  reconciling  the  world  unto  him- 
self— to  that  immaculate  Lamb  who  was  slain 
and  offered  an  all-sufficient  victim,  to  redeem 
thee  hij  his  Mood, 

The  grateiul  contemplation  of  the  suffer- 
ings and  death  of  Christ  should  also  impress 
on  thee  that  spirit  of  hiimititi/,  patience,  and 
universal  charity,  which  the  Saviour  emi- 
nently displayed,  and  which  are  the  charaa- 
teristics  of  his  true  disciples, 


142  Friday  Evening, 

The  sufferings  of  Christ  afford  a  brilliant 
attestation  of  the  truth  of  his  doctrines.  They 
present  a  still  higher  claim  to  our  gratitude, 
and  become  still  more  endeared  to  our  grate- 
ful remembrance,  by  their  infinite  efficacy  as 
an  all-syfficient  expiation  of  our  sins  and 
guilt.  And  they  further  demand  our  grateful 
recollection,  as  impressing  upon  us,  in  the 
most  powerful  and  affecting  manner,  the  great 
and  important  virtues  which  will  assimilate 
us  to  our  divine  Master — hiunility,  patience, 
and  universal  lore. 

In  order  to  behold  a  striking  exhibition  of 
the  meek  and  lowly  spirit  of  the  Christian 
calling ;  in  order  to  correct  those  false  ideas 
of  religion,  so  grateful  to  corrupt  nature,  and 
tiierefore  so  generally  entertained,  which  re- 
present its  sacred  claims  as  entirely  compati- 
ble wdth  the  gratification  of  the  aspiring,  the 
proud,  and  the  revengeful  passions  of  the 
heart ;  in  order  to  contemplate  a  noble  and 
affecting  display  of  uniform  resignation,  per- 
fect patience,  and  exalted  love,  under  afflic- 
tions the  most  severe,  injuries  the  most  poig- 
nant, and  persecutions  the  most  implacable — 
we  must  contemplate  the  character  of  the 
blessed  Jesus,  and  follow  him  through  his 
suffering  life.  "  He  grew  up  as  a  tender  plant 
and  as  a  root  out  of  the  dry  ground.  He  had 
no  form  or  comeliness ;  and  when  we  saw 
him,  there  was  no  beauty  that  we  should  de- 
sire him.  He  was  despised  and  rejected  of 
men,  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with 


Friday  Evening.  14S 

grief.  He  was  oppressed  and  he  was  afflict- 
ed, yet  he  opened  not  his  mouth.  He  was 
led  as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter,  and  as  a  sheep 
before  her  shearers  is  dumb,  so  he  opened 
not  his  mouth.  When  he  was  reviled,  he 
reviled  not  again.  When  he  suffered,  he 
threatened  nt)t."  Patient  and  holy  Lamb  of 
God  !  bitter  anguish  and  misery  penetrated 
thy  innocent  bosom;  and  shall  we,  whose 
aggravated  sins  and  guilt  loudly  demand  suf- 
fering and  punishment,  expect  to  pass  along 
the  path  of  pleasure  and  indulgence  1  Scorn 
and  persecution,  pouring  their  fires  on  thy 
holy  head,  awakened  only  thy  blessings  and 
thy  prayers  ;  and  shall  we,  whom  the  con- 
sciousness of  imperfection  and  guilt  should 
cover  with  deep  humility,  cherish  a  resentful 
and  implacable  temper!  Sustaining  the  ac- 
cumulated sins  of  a  guilty  world,  thy  innocent 
spirit  was  pressed  down  by  the  arm  of  divine 
justice — thou  wast  stretched  on  the  rack  of 
divine  wrath  until  the  agony  of  thy  soul  burst 
forth  in  great  drops  of  blood.  Ah  !  when 
thou  didst  thus  exhaust  the  dregs  of  that  cup 
of  trembling  which  the  indignation  of  heaven 
had  prepared  as  the  punishment  of  our  guiltc 
shall  we  murmur  at  those  slight  but  salutary 
afflictions  which  are  mercifully  designed  to 
promote  our  eternal  health  and  perfection] 

O  my  soul,  thy  patient,  meek,  and  humble 
Redeemer  h  f l  thee  an  example  that  thou 
shouldest  follow  his  steps.  The  virtues  (tf  Am- 
miiity,  patience,  and  universal  love,  he  power- 


144  Friday  Evening. 

fully  enforced  by  his  own  Iiumble,  suftering^ 
and  benevolent  life.  Worthy  of  thy  liveliest 
gratitude  is  the  infinite  condescension  of  thy 
blessed  Lord,  who,  to  animate  thy  obedience^ 
has  performed  every  precept  which  he  en- 
joins, has  sustained  sacrifices  and  sufl?erings 
infinitely  greater  than  those  to  which  thou 
art  called.  Behold  then  exhibited  in  his  life 
the  most  glorious  model  of  duty,  and  the  most 
animating  incentives  to  cherish  those  lowly, 
patient,  and  benevolent  virtues  which  adorned 
the  Saviour's  character.  Distinguished  is  the 
privilege  of  the  disciples  of  Christ,  that  they 
are  called  to  walk  in  that  path  of  suflfering 
which  their  divine  Redeemer  trod  before 
them.  Honourable  those  sorrows  which  con- 
form the  believer  to  the  image  of  his  Lord, 
and  prepare  him  for  the  fruition  of  those 
glories  to  which,  as  the  reward  of  his  patience^ 
the  Saviour  is  exalted.  Murmur  not,  O  my 
soul,  under  that  cross  with  which  thy  Re- 
deemer did  patiently  ascend  the  steep  of 
Calvary.  The  path  of  suffering  which  thy 
Saviour  tracked  out  thou  must  patiently  fol- 
low, if  thou  wilt  attain  the  celestial  glories 
on  which  he  has  entered.  It  is  the  declara- 
tion which  his  own  lips  proclaimed,  and  which 
his  suffering  life  has  sealed  :  "  If  any  man  will 
be  my  disciple,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take 
up  his  cross  and  follow  me.  Through  much 
tribulation  ye  must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven."  Animated  by  his  glorious  example^ 
and   cheered  by  the  heavenly  voice  which* 


Friday  Evening,  145 

from  the  throne  of  eternal  power,  he  directs 
to  thee,  '*  be  of  good  cheer,  1  have  overcome 
the  world" — resolve  to  preserve  thy  allegiance 
to  him  amidst  the  most  furious  assaults  of 
temptation — resolve  to  glorify  his  mercy  and 
power  in  the  most  bitter  agonies  of  suffering 
and  death.  At  the  altar,  where  the  atfecting 
representation  of  the  sorrows  of  thy  Lord 
forcibly  reminds  thee  that  those  who  would 
resemble  him  in  the  glories  of  his  resurrec- 
tion, must  be  conformed  to  him  in  the  like- 
ness of  his  sufferings  and  death,  thankfully 
commemorate  the  animating  incentives  to 
patience  and  resignation  which  his  blessed 
life  affords — and  draw  from  the  fountains  of 
his  grace  the  succours  which  will  exalt  thee 
triumphant  over  the  assaults  of  temptation 
and  sorrow. 

The  suffering  life  of  the  Redeemer  is  cal- 
culated to  impress  on  thee,  O  my  soul,  the 
lowly,  the  patient,  and  benevolent  virtues 
which  constitute  the  porfection  of  thy  nauire, 
which  are  productive  of  the  highest  joys  and 
consolations,  and  which  are  indispeuvsable 
qualifications  for  future  blessedness.  With 
the  liveliest  gratitude,  therefore,  should  tiiuse 
sufferings  be  remembered,  which  are  fraught 
with  instruction  so  beneficial  and  exalted. 

There  is  no  virtue,  however,  which  the 
contemplation  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of 
Christ  more  strongly  inculcated  than  chrrity 
or  universal  love.  Love  is  the  soul  ol  his 
religion;  it  is  the  animating  spring  of  every 
N 


146  Friday  Evenings 

other  fifrace;  the  eternal  centre  to  which  they 
all  tend,  and  in  which  they  will  all  finally 
become  absorbed.  This  virtue,  the  badge  of 
the  true  nisciples  of  Chriist,  attaches  the  soul 
to  God;  die  source  of  every  excellence,  the 
infinite  Aill^or  of  every  mercy — in  Christ 
Jesus,  the  Gtd  of  everlasting  compassion  and 
grace.  It  iiiS|;ires  the  soul  with  the  most 
lively  affecrion  for  man,  who  bears  the  image 
of  that  Divine  Being  whom  she  adores — who 
shares  in  the  common  wants  and  sorrows  that 
oppress  her — who  is  redeemed  by  the  blood 
of  the  same  Saviour,  and  sanctified  by  the 
same  Almighty  Spirit — and  who  looks  for- 
ward to  the  same  immortal  destiny.  Chris- 
tians, animated  by  the  divine  principle  of  love, 
will  uniformly  endeavour  "  to  keep  the  unity 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace" — to  pre- 
serve the  harmony  and  order  of  that  holy 
Church,  through  which  tlie  streams  of  mercy 
and  grace  from  the  divine  Redeemer  are 
conveyed  to  them,  and  by  which  they  are  to 
be  trained  for  the  immortal  celebration  of  the 
praises  of  their  God  in  the  Church  Triump'i- 
ant.  Regarding  one  another  as  partakers  of 
these  divine  and  celestial  privileges,  as  des- 
tined for  the  same  transcendent  state  of  per- 
fection and  bliss,  they  will  feel  themselves 
united  by  the  most  affecting  and  powerful 
ties.  Yes — restinj.^  for  pardon  on  the  same 
precious  blood  ;  quickenerl  and  sanctified  by 
ihc  same  A!mi:ihty  Spirit;  prepared  fur  the 
inheritance  of  glory  by  the  same  course  of 


Friday  Evening.  147 

suffering  and  trial ;  fellow  pilgrims  through 
the  same  vale  of  tears  to  a  blissful  and  eternal 
rest — united  thus  in  the  participation  of  the 
same  wants  and  sorrows,  in  the  possession  of 
the  same  divine  privileges,  in  the  fruition  of 
the  same  glorious  promises,  Christians  should 
also  be  united  by  the  holy  sentiments  of  ten- 
derness and  kindness.  The  spirit  of  divine 
love,  shedding  through  their  hearts  its  quick- 
ening power,  should  excite  them  to  endeavour 
to  remove  or  alleviate,  by  every  act  of  sym- 
pathy  and  affection,  the  obstacles  and  aiiiic- 
tions  that  assail  them  in  their  progress — to 
enliven  their  w^earisome  pilgrimage,  by  cele- 
brating, in  holy  concord,  the  glories  of  that 
heavenly  city  towards  which  they  are  advanc- 
ing. Destined  to  unite  in  strains  of  everlast- 
ing love  before  the  throne  of  the  Eternal, 
their  spirits  should  be  attuned  on  earth  to  the 
harmonious  celebration  of  the  praises  of  their 
God.  Oh  !  what  an  exalted  exhibition  of  joy 
and  peace  would  the  world  present,  did  this 
spirit  of  divine  love  pervade  the  souls  of 
Ciiristians  !  This  vale  of  tears  and  misery, 
where  discord,  suspicion,  envy,  and  revenge, 
blast  the  ^{i\Y  joys  which  lie  scattered  along 
the  path  of  life,  would  be  converted  into  a 
paradise  of  love  and  peace,  fair  and  exalted 
as  that  in  which  man  enjoyed  the  presence  of 
his  Maker. 

This  spirit  o^  universal  char itij,  so  sublime 
and  noble  in  its  origin  and  nature,  so  bene- 
ficial and  exalted  in  its  effects,  is  enjoined  on 


148  Friday  Evefiing, 

thee,  O  my  soul,  by  the  most  powerful  and 
affecting  considerations;  and  it  is  an  indis- 
pensable qualification  for  that  holy  supper, 
where  Christians  profess  themselves  to   be 
connected  by  the  holy  ties  of  a  Redeemer's 
merits  and  blood.   From  the  altar,  the  tender 
voice  of  the  Saviour  implores  his  followers, 
by  that  precious  blood  which  is  their  common 
and    supreme    affiance,   by  that   quickening 
spirit  of  love  and  consolation  which  he  sheds 
through  their  hearts,  by  those   blissful   and 
immortal  hopes  which  he  hath  purchased  for 
them  all,  by  that  infinite  and  unutterable  love 
which,  through  his  suffering  life  and  agonizing 
death,  he  displayed   for  them,  he  implores 
them  to  "  love  one  another."     "  This  is  my 
commandment,    that  ye    love  one  another." 
Blessed  Jesus!  who  shrunk  from  no  sufferings 
to  achieve  our  redemption,  we  owe  thee  the 
supreme  devotion  of  our  souls,  which  thou 
hast  purchased.     And  didst  thou  require,  as 
the  pledge  of  our  gratitude,  the  renunciation 
of  our  ease  and  enjoyment,  cheerfully  should 
the  inadequate  tribute   be  rendered.     Base 
then,  and  highly  criminal  the  apathy  which 
would  lead  us  to  disobey  thy  dying  injunction, 
to  cherish  the  virtue  of  charity  and  love,  the 
ornament  of  our  nature,  the  source  of  the 
purest  joys. 

Advance  then  to  the  altar,  O  my  soul, 
cherishing  the  emotions  of  livelif  benevolence 
for  all  mankind.  Embrace  in  thy  benevolent 
regard  the  whole  human  race.     Resolve  to 


Friday  Evening.  149 

promote  by  ardent  and  persevering  exertion 
the  welfare  of  tliy  fellow  men.  The  disciple 
of  a  Redeemer  who  went  about  doing  good, 
let  no  opportunity  be  omitted  of  imitating  thy 
blessed  Lord  in  acts  of  mercy.  Following 
the  steps  of  thy  compassionate  Master,  visit 
the  abodes  of  poverty  and  wretchedness; 
and  while  thy  beneficence  pours  gladness  into 
the  hearts  of  the  children  of  sorrow,  direct 
their  trust  and  hope  to  that  gracious  Provi- 
dence, '^without  whose  knowledge  not  even 
a  sparrow  falleth  to  the  ground'' — direct  their 
desires  to  those  abodes  of  undecaying  peace, 
*'  where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and 
where  the  weary  are  at  rest."  The  blessing 
of  those  who  were  ready  to  perish  shall  de- 
scend upon  thee.  Animated  by  that  spirit 
of  divine  love  which  assimilate.^  thee  to  thy 
blessed  Redeemer,  he  will  acknowledge  thee, 
at  ids  holy  supper,  as  an  acceptable  guest. 
And  when  from  the  fountain  of  grace  and 
mercy  opened  on  the  altar,  the  streams  of 
peace  and  joy  are  dispensed  to  thee,  let  thy 
earnest  supplications  be  directed  to  heaven, 
that  the  bread  of  life  may  diffuse  its  efficacy 
throughout  the  earth  ;  that  all  the  guilty  sons 
of  men  may  have  access  to  that  blood,  which 
washes  av/tiy  the  stains  of  sin. 

Advance  to  the  altar,  animated  uith  pecu- 
liar afi'ection  for  those  who,  as  Christians, 
are  connected  with  thee  by  the  endearing  ties 
of  the  Redeemer' s  merits  and  grace. 

For  those  who  are  of  the  "  household  of 

N2 


150  Friday  Evening, 

faith,"  who,  admitted  into  the  Christian  cove- 
nant, place  their  hopes  of  salvation  on  the 
merits  and  ^race  of  that  Redeemer  who  is 
thy  only  trust  and  refuge,   the  most  lively 
emotions  of  affection  should   be  cherished. 
The  sincere  followers  of  Christ  are  connected 
together  by  the  sacred  ties  of  a  Saviour's  love, 
of  his  almighty  grace  renewing  and  animating 
their  souls.    These  ties  are  destined  to  be  as 
exalted  and  eternal  as  those  celestial  exercises 
which  will  engage   the  spirits  of  the  blest, 
before  the  throne  of  God,  in  the  unrieasing 
strains  of  adoration  and  praise.     Look  upon 
those  then,  O  my  soul,  who,  united  with  thee 
to  the  Redeemer  by  a  living  faith,  comme- 
morate, at  the  altar,  the  rich  displays  of  his 
grace  and  mercy,  as  thy  destined  companions 
in  that  celebrntion  of  redeeming  love,  which, 
through  eternal  ages,  will  constitute  the  glory 
and   the  bliss  of  the  Church    Triumphunt. 
Oh !    let  tlie  exalted  consideration   that  the 
bands  of  Christian  fellowship  shall  never  be 
dissolved,    excite   thy  wannest  affection  for 
those  with  whom  thou  art  destined  to  drink 
ineffable   bliss  at  lh(»se  streams  which  flow 
for  ever  in  the  city  of  the  living  God.     Let 
the  precious  emblems  of  the  Saviour's  love, 
which,  with  his  humble  followers,  thou  dost 
receive  at  his  holy  supper,  bind  thee  to  them 
by  the  cords  of  affection,  which  no  ungeneroui 
selfishness  or  envy,  no  unkind  suspicions  or 
fesentments  shall  ever  tarnish   or    dissolve. 
Over  the   lively  memorial  of  that  infinite 


Friday  Evening,  151 

gfracc  to  which  thev  are  indebted  for  those 
immortal  ho})es  which  alone  cheer  the  weari- 
some pilgrimai^e  of  life,  let  the  members  of 
Christ's  mystical  body  vow  to  each  other 
tf  sacred  fellowship  and  affection — let  them  re- 
solve "  to  put  away  all  bitterness,  and  wrath, 
and  anger,  and  clamour,  and  evil  speaking, 
with  all  malice — and  to  be  kind  one  to  an- 
other, lender-heiirted,  forgiving  one  another, 
even  as  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  hath  forgiven 
them." 

And  as  the  perfection  and  consnmnation 
of  Christian  charity,  the  devout  communicant 
should  advance  to  the  altar,  heartily  disposed 
to  forgive  and  to  love  his  enemies. 

It  was  the  pressing  injuncti'»n  of  our  dying 
Mfister;  it  is  made  the  condition  of  our  re- 
ceiving forsjiveness  at  the  hands  of  our  Al- 
ini2:hty  Judge;  it  is  constituted  by  our  Lord 
the  sacred  plea  by  v^hich  we  are  to  supplicate 
forgiveness  from  heaven,  that  we  forgive 
others  their  trespasses  against  ns.  The  for- 
giveness  oi  our  enemies  consists  in  exercising 
towards  them  those  benevolent  affections 
which,  by  the  constitution  of  human  nature, 
and  the  command  of  God,  we  are  bourn  1  to 
exercise  towards  nil  mankind  ;  in  the  ready 
expression  of  our  good  will  to  them;  in  re- 
fraining from  every  act  of  unkindness  or 
resentment  towards  them ;  and  in  a  cordial 
desire  and  disposition  to^ffc^et  a  reconcilintion 
with  ttiem.  As  it  is  one  of  the  most  difficult 
virtue;},  so  it  is  une  of  the  tnust  noble  and  ex- 


15^  Friday  Evening. 

alted — in    the   hiofhest  degree   perfective  of 
human  nature,  and  fruitful  of  the  highest  joys. 
It   rescues    us  from  those  painful    anxieties 
which  agitate  the  breast  that  is  the  seat  of 
gloomy   revenge.      It    sheds    that    delightful  ^ 
tranquillity  which  is  alone  the  portion  of  the 
bosom  that  is  at  peace  with   the  world.     It 
animates  the  soul  with  the  elevated  reflection, 
that  in  overcoming  the  passion  of  revenge, 
she  has  gained  the  most  sublime  victory.     It 
assimih'Ues  man  to  that  gracious  and  merciful 
Being,  who  doeth  good  to  the  unthankful  and 
the  evil.     It  advances  him  into  resemblance 
to  that  divine  Saviour,  who,  in  the  ardours  of 
infinite  love,  supplicated  pardon  for  the  ene- 
mies who  hunted  him  to  the  cross.     The  de- 
vout communicant,  whose  heart  is  penetrated 
with   the  display  of  mercy  which   the  cross 
affords,  will  bury  at  the  foot  of  the  altar  all 
his    enmities,   jealousies,    and    resentments. 
The  blood  of  his  Saviour  shed  through  his 
heart  will  extinguish  every  wrathful  passion. 
Love  to  God  and  man,  ardent,  holy,  and  con- 
stant as  the  fire  of  the  eternal  altar  at  which 
it  is  kindled,  will  alone  animate  his  soul. 


AN  ACT  OF  THANKSGIVING 


HUMILIATION  AND  SUFFERINGS  OF  CHRIST. 

Praises  evermore  be  iwto  thee^   0  eternal  Son 
of  Gody  who  didst  take  our  tiature  upon  thee^  and 


Friday  Evening,  153 

for  us  didst  become  obedient  unto  deaths  even  the 
death  of  the  cross. 

That  when,  by  rebellion  against  our  Sovereign 
God  and  mercit'ui  Fatlier,  we  had  fallen  from  our 
state  of  primeval  rectitude  and  glory,  had  forfeited 
all  title  to  the  light  of  God's  countenance,  and  in- 
curred his  indignation  and  wrath — that  when  jus- 
tice urged  our  excision,  and  divine  holiness  de- 
manded the  vindication  of  a  violated  law — that 
when  among  the  host  of  heaven  "  there  was  none 
to  help ;"  among  the  innumerable  orders  of  created 
beings  *'  there  was  none  to  uphold,"  none  whose 
"  arm  could  bring  salvation"  for  us — that  in  this 
our  hopeless  state  of  condemnation  and  misery, 
when  the  mercy  of  the  Almighty  Father  prompted, 
thou  didst  willingly  undertake  the  office  of  our 
Redeemer ; 

Praises  evermore  be  unto  thee^  0  eternal  Son  of' 
God. 

That  thou,  who  "  wast  w^ith  the  Father  before 
the  world  was,"  *'  the  brightness  of  his  glory,  and 
the  express  image  of  his  person" — thou,  whom 
cherubim  and  seraphim  adored,  and  to  whom  the 
host  of  heaven  bowed  submissive — didst  conde- 
scend to  vail  thy  glory  in  our  miserable  nature  ; 

Praises  evermore  be  unto  thee^  0  eternal  Son  of 
God. 

That  thou  didst  relinquish  the  felicity  of  the 
Godhead,  to  be  born  in  our  nature,  of  an  huml)le 
and  obscure  family  ;  to  be  ushered  into  the  world 
among  the  beasts  of  the  stall ;  and  to  sustain  the 
wants  and  pains  of  infancy  and  cnildhofjd — when 
thou  couldst  have  commanded  the  homage  or  the 
universe,  and  encirc.ed  thyself  witli  celestial  ma- 
jesty and  splendour ; 


154  Friday  Evening. 

Praises  evermore  be  unto  theCy  0  most  Holy 
Jesus,  eternal  So?i  of  God, 

That  thou,  \\'hom  angels  and  archangels  counted 
it  their  glory  to  ser\'C,  didst  thyself  become  subject 
to  thy  parents,  rendering  them  reverence  and  obe- 
dience ;  and  through  the  whole  of  thy  benevolent 
life  didst  become  the  servant  of  mankind,  in  ad- 
ministering to  their  necessities ; 

Praises  ever?nore  be  irnto  thee,  0  most  Holy 
Jesus,  eternal  Son  oj  God. 

That  in  the  prosecution  of  the  benevolent  work 
of  our  redemption,  thou  didst  sustain  want,  and 
suffering,  and  sorrow;  and  didst  even  wander 
without  a  place  to  lay  thy  head, — when  thou  wast 
entided  to  the  eternal  throne  of  universal  dominion ; 

Praises  evermore  be  unto  thee,  0  ?nost  Holy 
Jesus,  eternal  Son  of  God. 

That  thou  didst  encounter  shame,  indignity,  and 
insult ;  didst  associate  with  the  refuse  of  mankind ; 
and  patiently  didst  submit  to  the  charge  of  acting 
in  concert  with  the  prince  and  powers  of  darkness 
— when  thou  couldst  have  commanded,  for  thy 
attendants,  the  brightest  seraphs  that  minister  in 
the  court  of  heaven ; 

Praises  evermore  be  imto  thee,  0  most  Holy 
Jesus,  eternal  Son  of  God. 

That  in  the  day  of  thy  humiliation,  as  a  suiFer- 
ing  Saviour,  thou  didst  become  ''  a  man  of  sor- 
rows, and  acquainted  with  grief;"  that,  laden  with 
the  sins  of  a  guilty  world,  thou  didst  appear  "  with- 
out form  or  comeliness,"  "  thy  visage  marred  more 
than  any  man,  and  thy  form  more  than  the  sons  of 
men" — that  in  the  garden  of  Gethser;  iine  thou 
didst,  friendless  and  alone,  *'  tread  the  wine- press" 
of  thy  Fatiier's  wrath,,  and  "  drink  the  dregs  of 


Fr'vhy  Evemn^*  155 

tliat  cup  of  trembling''  which  infused  direful  hor- 
rors through  thy  soul,  and  bathed  thy  convulsed 
body  in  a  bloody  s\veat; 

Praises  evermore  he  unto  thee,  O  ?nost  Holy 
Jesiis^  ttmiai  Son  of  God, 

That  :hou  didst  submit  to  be  betrayed  by  one 
of  thy  d'sciplo,  and  **  led  as  a  iamb  to  the  slaugh- 
ter" by  thy  imj)lacable  enemies;  that,  deserted  i)y 
thy  timid  and  faithless  followers,  thou  didst  pa- 
tiently submit,  in  the  hall  of  the  high  priest,  and  at 
the  tribunal  of  Pilate,  to  be  unjustly  arraigned  aid 
condemned,  to  be  buffeted  and  spit  upon,  scourged 
and  mockfd — when  thy  omnipotent  word  could 
have  struck  to  the  earth  thy  vengeful  adversaries; 

Praises  f:vermore  be  unto  thee,  0  most  Holy 
Jesus,  eternal  Son  of  God, 

That  thou  didst  patiently  labour  under  the  load 
of  the  ignominious  cross  on  which  thou  wast  to 
suffer — and,  condtmned  as  a  malefactor,  didst, 
amidst  the  cruel  taunts  of  thy  enemies,  sustain  the 
agonies  of  death,  made  more  dreadful  to  thy  spirit 
by  the  wrath  of  thy  Father ; 

Praises  evermore  he  unto  thee,  0  most  Holy 
Jesus,  eternal  Son  of  God, 

That  for  us  men,  and  for  our  salvation,  these 
painful  sufferings,  this  ignominious  and  cruel  death 
were  patiently  sustained — that  thou  wast  "  woimd- 
ed  for  our  transgressions,  and  bruised  for  our  ini- 
quities, that  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was 
upon  thee,  and  that  by  thy  stripes  we  are  healed  ;" 

Praises  evermore  be  unto  thee,  0  most  Holy 
Jesus,  eternal  Son  of  God, 

That  by  thy  sufferings  and  death  thou  hast 
sealed  the  truth  of  thy  doctrines,  and  exhibjt<^d  a 
bright  and  affecting  example  of  those  graces  of 


156  Friday  Evening, 

humility,  meekness,  ana  love,  which  thou  dost 
call  us  to  practise ;  that  by  thy  suffering  life  and 
agonizing  death,  thou  Liast  powerfully  enforced 
thy  instructions,  rendered  an  all-sufficient  atone- 
ment for  sin,  and  shed  divine  lustre  on  that  path 
of  humble  and  holy  obeditnce  by  which  we  are 
to  ascend  to  the  gloriouJ=.  bliss  of  thy  eternal  king- 
dom ; 

Praises  evermore  be  unto  thee^  0  eternal  Son  of 
God,  who  didst  take  our  nature  upon  thee,  and  for 
us  didst  become  obedient  unto  deaths  even  the  death 
of  the  cross* 


THE  PRAYER. 

"  Almighty  God,  who  hast  given  thine  only 
Son  to  bt  both  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  and  also  an  ex- 
ample of  godly  life  ;  give  me  grace  that  I  may  al- 
Wctvs  most  thankfully  receive  that  his  inestimable 
benefit,  and  also  daily  endeavour  myself  to  follow 
the  blessed  steps  of  his  most  holy  life."  O  most 
blessed  and  merciful  Jesus,  eternal  Son  of  God, 
who  didst  suffer  for  iniquities  not  thine  own,  and 
by  the  shedding  of  thy  most  precious  blood  didst 
pay  the  infinite  price  of  our  redemption ;  may  the 
contemplation  of  thy  bitter  sufftrings  excite  in  my 
heart  the  emotions  of  lively  gratitude  to  thee,  my 
gracious  Redeemer,  who  couldst  stoop  from  the 
glory  and  felicity  of  the  Godhead,  and  encounter 
shame,  sorrow,  persecution,  and  death,  to  achieve 
my  deliverance  and  salvation.  Contemplating, 
with  frequent  and  holy  admiration,  thy  infinite 
condescension  and  lovt-,  may  I  regard  no  sacrifices 
too  dear,  no  service  too  exalted  to  testify  my  sen- 


Friday  Evenbig,  157 

bibility  and  gratitude.  Let  me  not  incur  the  awful 
guilt  of  contemning  the  affecting  motives  to  re- 
pentance exhibited  by  thy  precious  blood,  shed  to 
atone  for  my  sins.  Beholding,  in  the  agonies  of 
thy  cross,  both  the  fearful  display  of  the  justice  of 
God,  and  the  attractive  lustre  of  his  infinite  mercy, 
may  the  emotions  of  holy  apprehension  and  love 
unite  to  excite  in  my  heart  the  resolution  of  serving 
thee.  O  let  me  not  sink  under  the  condemnation 
of  having  contemned  thy  bitter  agonies,  of  having 
trampled  thee  under  foot,  of  having  put  thee  to  an 
open  shame,  of  having  crucified  thee  afresh,  by 
my  transgressions.  Over  the  emblems  of  thy  suf- 
ferings, displayed  on  the  altar,  may  I  resolve  to 
renounce  all  my  sins ;  and  may  I  offer  thee  a  heart 
penetrated  with  the  emotions  of  contrition,  grati- 
tude, and  love.  And  O  thou  compassionate  Re- 
deemer, in  whose  suffering  fife  the  virtues  of  hu- 
mility, patience,  and  divine  charity  shone  forth 
with  the  most  exalted  lustre — may  the  example 
thou  hast  set  me  be  the  subject  of  my  constant 
and  devout  meditations ;  and  w^armed  with  the 
glorious  view,  may  I  resolve  to  imitate  thy  divine 
humility,  patience,  and  love.  May  the  contem- 
plation of  thy  cross,  on  which,  in  the  iigonies  of 
death,  thou  didst  pour  forth  the  earnest  prayer  for 
pardon  on  thy  relentless  enemies,  disarm  in  my 
soul  every  purpose  of  resentment,  and  quicken  the 
emotions  of  forgiveness  and  kindness.  Eternal 
Spirit  1  fountain  of  divine  love !  shed  abroad  in 
my  iieart  that  sacred  charity  for  all  mankind,  that 
tender  affection  and  sympathy  for  the  members  of 
Christ's  mystical  body,  by  which  I  shall  be  con- 
formed to  the  likeness  of  my  b!  essed  Redeemer, 
and  made  meet  for  his  eternal  k  ngdom  of  peace 
O 


158  Friday  Evening, 

and  joy.  Holy  Spirit !  when  I  approach  that  ban- 
quet,  where  Christians  commemorate  their  Sa- 
viour's mercy,  and  testify  that  they  are  partakers 
of  the  same  blessed  privileges  and  hopes,  may  thy 
grace  subdue  every  resentful  and  angry  passion, 
and  enkindle  the  flame  of  divine  chr.rity.  May 
my  soul  embrace  in  its  ardent  affection  the  holy 
company  of  the  redeemed,  who  meet  at  the  altar 
to  celebrate  the  immortal  triumphs  and  blessings 
of  their  Saviour's  mercy.  May  thy  grace  unite 
mc  to  them  in  the  bands  of  sympathy  and  friend- 
ship, and  t:xcite  me  uniformly  to  exercise  towards 
them  the  virtues  of  gendeness,  forbearance,  and 
love.  Thus,  O  my  Saviour,  by  fulfilling  that  law 
of  celestid  kindness  which  thou  didst  so  earnestly 
and  repeatedly  enjoin,  may  I  exhibit  to  the  world 
the  engaofing  lustre  of  diy  blessed  religion.  Thus 
cherishing  the  spirit  of  divine  love  in  the  exercise 
of  forbearance  and  forgiveness,  may  I  ever  be  ac- 
knowledged by  thee  as  an  acceptable  guest  at  thy 
holy  table  ;  and  finally  be  admitted  to  the  celestial 
supper  of  the  Lamb  ;  to  the  participation  of  the 
everlasting  festival  of  love  in  thy  heavenly  king- 
dom ;  to  the  hallowed  chorus  of  angels  and  arch- 
angels, and  the  spirits  of  the  just,  celebrating  in 
unceasing  strains  the  mgfsty  and  glory  of  God, 
the  Father,  die  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amau 


Saturday  Morning.  159 

SATURDAY  MORI^IIVG. 


MEDITATION. 

The  devout  participation  of  tlie  Ordinances  of  the  Church,  the  appointed 
method  of  Salvation. 

No  truth  can  be  more  evident  to  reason, 
than  that  God  has  a  right  to  prescribe  what 
method  he  pleases  for  the  salvation  of  man- 
kind. Dependent  upon  him  as  their  Creator 
and  their  Judge,  deriving  from  him  life  and 
all  its  enjoyments,  which  they  hold  by  the 
dependent  tenure  of  his  sovereign  will,  they 
are  bound  by  every  tie  of  duty,  interest,  and 
gratitude,  implicitly  to  fulfil  his  injunctions. 
^y  obedience  to  his  commands,  they  acknow- 
ledge his  supreme  authority  over  them,  and 
attain  that  perfection  and  happiness  for  which 
they  were  destined.  By  resistance  to  his 
will,  they  forfeit  that  purity  and  bliss,  which 
are  only  to  be  found  in  the  enjoyment  of  his 
favour.  When  we  further  consider  man  as 
a  fallen  creature,  subject  to  the  punishment 
of  his  offended  Judge,  we  shall  be  compelled 
to  acknowledge,  that  he  can  have  no  hope  of 
forgiveness  but  on  those  terms  and  conditions 
which  God  may  prescribe.  If,  then,  God 
hath  seen  fit  to  dispense  his  mercy  and  grace 
through  the  ordinances  of  a  church,  by  com- 
munion with  which  guilty  and  condemned 
man  is  to  be  restored  to  virtue  and  happiness 
—who  is  he  that  will  resist  his  will!     To 


160  Saturday  Morning. 

dispute  the  propriety  of  his  institutions,  to 
doubt  the  efficacy  of  the  means  which  he 
hath  estabhshed,  would  be  a  presumptuous 
eontempt  of  his  mercy  and  power,  a  wilful 
rejection  of  his  proffered  grace.  Contemning 
the  means  which  he  hath  instituted  for  our 
salvation,  we  should  aggravate  to  the  deepest 
dye  the  guilt  of  rebellion  against  our  almighty 
Sovereign  and  Judge ;  and  without  any  plea 
to  extenuate  our  guilt,  v^^e  should  sink  under 
the  avenging  arm  of  his  justice. 

That  in  order  to  our  deliverance  from  the 
condemnation  and  wrath  which  our  sins  have 
incurred,  and  to  our  restoration  to  the  favour 
of  God,  we  must  humbly  and  devoutly  parti- 
cipate of  the  ordinances  of  the  church,  is  a 
truth,  therefore,  which  rests  on  the  simple 
fact,  that  God  hath  instituted  these  ordinances 
as  the  means  of  salvation,  the  channels  of 
mercy  and  grace. 

To  be  fully  satisfied  of  this  fact,  and  to  be 
rightly  informed  in  the  necessity,  the  nature, 
and  efficacy  of  the  ordinances  of  the  church, 
deeply  concerns  us.  Our  eternal  happiness 
depends  on  our  submission  to  the  means  and 
conditions  of  salvation  which  God  hath  pre- 
scribed. And  the  ordinances  of  the  church 
will  appear  unnecessary  and  useless ;  they 
will  exhibit  no  claim  to  our  reverence,  atten- 
tion, or  obedience,  unless  we  regard  them  as 
instituted  by  God  himself,  and  accompanied, 
when  duly  administered  and  received,  by  his 
grace  and  mercy. 


Saturday  Moniing,  161 

It  must  be  evident,  therefore,  that  a  deep 
conviction  of  the  necessity  and  inestimable 
benefits  of  the  ordinances  of  the  church  is 
necessary  to  an  humble  and  enlightened  par- 
ticipation of  them.   It  will,  therefore,  be  highly 
useful  and  proper,  that  the  Christian  who  is 
eng^iged  in  preparing  for  the  reception  of 
the  holy  eucharist,  the  most  sublime  act  of 
Christian  worship,  should  be  impressed  with 
the  important  truth,  that  the  ordinances  of 
the  church  are  appointed  by  God,  and  that 
they  are  the  instituted  pledges  of  his  mercy 
and  grace.     He  should  be  deeply  impressed 
with  the  important  truth,  that  by  the  devout 
participation  of  them,  we  preserve  our  com- 
munion with  the  church,  for  which  the  Re- 
deemer  shed    his  blood,   and  thus   become 
entitled  to  the  bless?ings  of  that  covenant  of 
mercy   which   God    hath   promulgated    to   a 
guilty  world.     When  we  firmly  believe  that 
the  power  of  God  accompanies  the  due  ad- 
ministration of  his  ordinances  ;  that  through 
them,  in  the  exercise  of  faith,  we  become 
united  to  the  Redeemer,  and  interested  in  his  . 
atonement  and  grace ;  the  devout  participa- 
tion of  the  holy  eucharist  will  appear  neces- 
sary to   our  salvation.     Its  high   and   awful 
import,   as  a  channel  of  divine  mercy  and 
grace,  im[)ressed  upon  our  minds,  will  tend 
to  quicken  and  exalt  our  reverence,  our  peni- 
tence, our  faith,  our  gratitude  and  love.    Turn 
then,  O  my  soul,  to  the  consideration  of  the 
humble,  but,  through  the  grace  and  blessing 

0  2 


162  Saturday  Morning. 

of  God,  powerful  means  which  he  hath  in- 
stituted for  thy  salvation  ! 

That  the  truths  of  religion  should  be  com- 
memorated,  and   its  blessings  conveyed  by 
external  rites,  is  perfectly  agreeable  to  the 
nature  of  man.     His  senses  are  the  principal 
inlets  of  his  knowledge,  and  through  them 
the  most  lively  and  permanent  impressions 
are  made  on  his  mind.     There  is  no  truth 
which   the  consideration  of  human    nature, 
and  the  testim(jny  of  daily  experience,  more 
strongly  establish,  than  that  man  is  swayed 
more  by  his  passions  than  by  his  reason.    By 
the  impressive  power  of  external  rites  and 
emblems  you  gain  access  to   his  passions ; 
you  awaken,   you   guide   and   control   them. 
So  great  is  the  influence  of  external  rites  on 
the  mind,  that  men  in  ail  aofes  have  had  re- 
course to  them  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of 
signal  achievements,  and  lo  excite  and  pre- 
serve the  sentiments  of  religion.    The  nature 
of  man,  therefore,  required  that  the  important 
truths  of  religion  should  be  impressed  on  the 
mind   l)y  external  emblems  and   rites.     By 
these  figurative  institutions,  spiritual  and  ab- 
stract truths,  which  are  so  difficult  of  appre- 
hension,   are  clearly   conveyed ;    the  under- 
.  standing  is  enlightened  ;  the  imagination  and 
the  feelings,  those  powerful  springs  of  huiuiin 
action,   are   roused.     Ordinances   and   rites, 
instituted   by  God  himself   as  memorials  of 
those  exalted  displays  of  mercy  i»y  which  our 
fedeaipliou  was  eifecied,  powerfully  tend  to 


Saturday  Morning,^  163 

confirm  our  faith,  to  enliven  our  gratitude,  to 
cherish  our  love.  They  keep  up  the  lively 
remembrance  of  the  wonderful  mercy  and 
grace  of  God,  and  exhibit,  in  the  most  im- 
pressive manner,  the  glorious  achieveiuents 
by  which  our  Redeemer  subdued  the  adver- 
saries of  our  salvation. 

Wonder  not  then,  O  my  soul,  that  the  in- 
finitely wise  Cre;itor  of  the  universe  should 
condescend,  in  all  his  dispensations  to  the 
world,  to  consult  the  nature  of  mnn,  and  to 
institute  ordinances  as  memorials  of  his  love, 
and  channels  of  his  mercy  and  grace.     Even 
in   that  stale  of  priuiitive  perfection,  where 
the  ever-blessed  Jehovah  vouchsafed  to  hold 
immediate  converse  with  tlie  favoured  parents 
of  our  race,  figurative  emblems  were  institut- 
ed to  remind  them  of  their  duty,  to  convey 
and  recall  to  them  their  glorious  privileges 
and  hopes.     The  tree  of  the  knowledge  of 
good  and  evil  constantly  reminded  them  of 
the  obligation  of  obedience  to  the  sovereign 
Author  of  their  being,  and  of  all  their  mercies ; 
and   powerfully  impressed  on  their  remem- 
brance the  awful  penalty  of  contemning  the 
consmands  of  their  almighty  Lawgiver  and 
Judge.     The  tree  oj  life,  to  which  they  hud 
constant  access,  was  the  seal  and  pledge  of 
that  immortality  which  was  to  be  the  glorious 
reward  of  their  obedience.    After  the  fall  had 
involved  them  m  the  curse  of  transgression, 
had  stripped  them  of  their  purity  and  glory, 
and  rendered  them  obnoxious  to  the  wrath 


164  Saturday  Morjiing, 

of  God,  the  hope  of  mercy  was  lighted  up  in 
itieir  minds  by  the  institution  of  sacrifices, 
which  their  offended  God  made  the  channels 
to  his  favours.  While  the  shedding  of  the 
blood  of  beasts  on  the  altar  awakened  in  the 
soul  of  fallen  man  the  recollection  of  his  guilt, 
which  required  expiation,  it  carried  forward 
his  joyful  view  to  the  promised  victim,  the 
infinite  efficacy  of  whose  blood  would  wash 
aw  :y  the  stain  of  sin.  When,  in  the  further 
unfolding  of  that  plan  of  redemption  which 
was  to  be  finally  consummated  in  the  glorious 
pr(unulgation  of  the  Gospel,  God  chose  a 
particuhir  fimdly  and  nation  to  be  the  rej)Osi- 
t(»riesof  his  will,  and  the  iieirsof  his  promises; 
the  rile  of  circumcision  was  instituted,  to  be 
both  a  lively  memorial  of  duty  and  a  pledge 
of  the  Divine  favour.  Take  a  view  of  the 
Jewish  law,  and  you  will  find  that  its  numer- 
ous, significant,  and  splendid  rites,  were  the 
instituted  means  by  which  the  people  of 
Israel  maintained  their  conjmunion  with  God  ; 
gratefully  commc^morated  the  deliverance 
which  his  almighty  arm  wrought  for  them, 
and  laid  their  claim  to  his  blessing  and  ever- 
lasting favour. 

When  he,  the  glorious  seed  of  the  woman, 
whose  promised  aj)[)earance  kindled  the  first 
gleam  of  hope  whi(!h  illumined  the  souls  of 
tlie  wretched  parents  of  our  race  after  their 
rebellion  against  God — he,  whose  joyful  day 
the  fathers  beheld  and  were  glad — when  he, 
to  whom  all  the  prophets  and  the  law  bore 


Saturday  Morning.  165 

witness,  appeared  to  complete  the  work  of 
redemjjtion,  by  the  shedding  of  his  blood ; 
the  same  plan  of  Divine  Providence  which 
had  distinguished  the  preceding  dispensations 
was  still  preserved  Through  the  channel  of 
rites  and  ordi?iances  were  the  mercy  and 
grace  of  God  to  be  conveyed;  by  them  were 
the  glorious  achievements  to  be  commemo- 
rated by  which  our  redemption  was  etiected. 
A  church  was  instituted,  which  was  to  be  the 
repository  of  the  laws,  of  the  mercy  and  grace 
of  God.  Destined  to  be  everlasting  in  its 
duration,  it  was  the  promise  of  the  Divine 
Founder  of  the  church,  that  the  gates  of  hell 
should  not  prevail  against  it.  Officers  were 
appointed  to  rule  it;  to  administer  its  ordin- 
ances ;  to  conduct  its  worship ;  to  enact  its 
laws ;  to  execute  its  discipline — and  with 
them,  successively  deriving  their  power  from 
him,  the  Redeemer  promised  to  be  "  alway, 
even  to  the  end  of  the  world." 

Into  this  church,  the  "  body,"  which  derives 
life,  strength,  and  salvation  from  Christ  its 
head,  baptism  was  instituted  as  the  sacred 
rite  of  admission.  In  this  regenerating  or- 
dinance, fallen  man  is  born  again  from  a  state 
of  condemnation  into  a  state  of  grace ;  he 
obtains  a  title  to  the  presence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  to  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  to  all  those 
precious  and  immortal  blessings  which  the 
blood  of  Christ  purchased.  The  humble 
Christian,  who,  by  actual  repentance,  by  lively 
faith,  and  holy  obedience,  fulfils  his  baptismal 


166  Saturday  Morning, 

eiiira^ements,  is  invested  in  the  rite  of  cow- 
Jirmation  with  all  those  spiritual  blessings 
which  baptism  conditionally  conferred,  with 
the  inanifoid  and  strengthening  aids  of  the 
Hoiy  Gliost,  (Acts  viii.  17.)  In  the  worship 
of  the  sanctuary,  he  maintains  that  intercourse 
with  heaven,  by  which  his  faith  is  confirmed, 
his  love  quickened,  his  resolutions  of  obedi- 
ence strengthened,  his  soul  prepared  for  the 
blissful  services  of  the  church  and  temple  of 
God  eternal  in  the  heavens.  By  that  powerful 
grace  which  accompanies  the  preaching  of 
the  icord,  the  terrors  of  the  law  are  impressed 
on  the  hearts  of  the  careless ;  the  promises 
of  mercy  applied  to  the  trembling  conscience 
of  the  penitent ;  divine  light,  consolation,  and 
triumph  poured  upon  the  path  v/hich  conducts 
the  Christian  to  immortal  glory.  In  that  most 
sublime  ordinance,  the  holy  eucharist,  are 
centred  all  the  blessings  of  the  Redeemer's 
mercy,  and  the  almighty  energies  of  his  grace 
and  love.  In  the  participation  of  it,  the  de- 
vout believer  offers  unto  God  the  acceptable 
sacrifice  of  thanksgiving  for  the  infinite  mer- 
cies of  redemption.  He  becomes  united  to 
his  Saviour  in  the  bonds  of  the  everlasting 
covenant.  The  pardon  of  his  sins,  the  reno- 
vating and  consoling  guidance  of  divine  grace, 
the  love  and  favour  of  his  reconciled  Father 
and  God,  a  title  to  immortal  felicity,  are  con- 
veyed and  sealed  to  him  by  the  body  and 
blood  of  Christ,  of  which,  under  lively  em-^ 
blems,  he  partakes. 


Saturday  Moniing,  167 

Behold  then,  O  my  soul,  tlie  same  glorious 
plan   distinguishing  all  the  divine  dispensa- 
tions.    It  hath  pleased  the  Sovereign  Lord  of 
the  universe  uniformly  to  dispense  his  mercy 
and  grace  through  tiie  channel  of  ordinances 
and  riteSy  instituted  as  the  means  and  pledges 
of  salvation.    Humble  and  insignificant  to  the 
eye  of  sense,  to  the  proud  and  presumptuous 
mind,   may  appear  the  rites  which  Jehovah 
makes  the  pledges  of  his  mercy,  the  means 
of  redemption  to  his  fallen  creatures.     But 
faith  will  discern  in  them  the  power  of  the 
most  high  God,  whose  ways  are  not  as  our 
ways ;  who,  both  in  nature  and  in  grace,  ac- 
complishes the  most  stupendous  objects  by 
the  most  humble  instruments  ;  and  who  more 
illustriously    magnifies   his   power  and   con- 
founds the  pride  of  man,  in  proportion  to  the 
weakness    and   imperfection   of  the    agents, 
who  effect  the  purposes  of  his  sovereign  will. 
The  holy  sacraments  of  the  church  advance 
our  salvation,  not  only  by  their  natural  ten- 
dency to  cherish  faith,  gratitude,  penitence, 
love,  and   every  other  divine  virtue,  but  by 
the  refreshing  grace  and  rnercij  which  they 
convey  to  those  who  receive  them  worthily. 
They   are   not    merely   lively    and   afftHtiing 
mcworm/5,  calculated  to  impress  on  the  mind 
the  interesting  truths  of  redemption,  and  to 
display,  by  significant  emblems,  the  glories 
and  triumphs  of  redeeming  love.     But  they 
are  instituted  by  God,  di^  pledges  of  his  £rrace 
and  mercy  ;  as  channels  to  convey  to  degen- 


168  Saturday  Morning, 

erate  man  spiritual  blessings  and  privileges, 
ordinarily  to  be  obtained  in  no  other  way. 
The  sprinkling  of  the  body  with  water  is  a 
significant  emblem  of  the  spiritual  purification 
which  we  must  undergo.  Bread  broken,  and 
wine  poured  out,  may  be  considered  as  lively 
symbols  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  the 
Saviour,  in  remembrance  of  whom  we  eat  the 
bread  and  drink  the  wine.  The  sacraments 
of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper,  considered 
in  this  single  point  of  view,  as  memorials  or 
emblems  of  the  most  interesting  spiritual 
truths,  are  calculated  to  produce  tlie  most 
important  instruction  and  consolation.  But 
their  value  and  importance  rise  beyond  all 
comparison,  when  we  regard  them  further  as 
the  instituted  means  and  pledges  of  all  the 
blessings  of  salvation.  Wherever  the  Gospel 
is  promulgated,  the  sacrament  o^  baptism  is 
the  mode  through  which  we  must  be  admitted 
into  covenant  with  God,  and  by  which  we 
must  obtain  a  title  to  those  blessings  and 
privileges  which  Christ  has  purchased  for  his 
mystical  body,  the  cliurch:  the  participation 
of  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  in  the  hohj 
eucharisty  is  the  mode  by  which  we  must  be- 
come interested  in  the  merits  of  the  {Saviour's 
death  and  passion,  by  which  the  guilt  of  sin 
must  be  removed,  and  its  power  subdued  in 
our  hearts ;  by  which  our  perishing  natures 
must  derive  the  blessing  of  immortal  glory. 
The  holy  sacraments  are  the  instituted  means 
by  which  God  conveys  to  the  penitent  and 


Saturday  Mornitig,  169 

feithtiil  those  spiritual  and  immortal  bless- 
ings, for  which  repentance,  faith,  and  obedi- 
ence, are  necessary  qualifications.  "  Repent 
and  be  baptized  for  the  remission  of  sins." 
'*  Except  ye  eat  the  flesh  of  the  Son  of  man, 
and  drink  his  blood,  ye  have  no  life  in  you." 
We  must  sincerely  repent  of  our  sins ;  we 
must  heartily  believe  the  Gospel;  we  must 
walk  in  the  paths  of  holy  obedience  ;  we  must 
also  enter  into  covenant  with  God  by  baptism; 
and  ratifying  our  vows  of  allegiance  and  duty 
at  the  holy  sacrament  of  the  supper,  comine- 
niorate  the  meritorious  sacrifice  of  Christ. 
The  sacraments  are  the  means  by  whicii  we 
Q'eceive  the  inestimable  blessings  of  redemp- 
tion— the  pledges  by  which  they  are  assured 
to  us. 


THE  PRAYER. 

O  Almighty  God,  who  in  thy  wise  provi- 
dence hast  appointed  ordinances  to  be  the  'mrmo- 
rials  of  thy  love,  and  the  pledges  and  channels  of 
thy  L';race  and  mercy  to  a  fallen  world,  teach  me 
humbly  to  adore  thy  sovereign  will,  and  reverently 
to  submit  to  thy  institutions.  Ever  cherish in<^  a 
profound  sense  of  thy  almighty  power,  and  of  my 
own  weakness,  guilt,  and  dependence,  may  I  re- 
press the  arrogance  which  would  lead  me  to  ar- 
raign thy  dispensations,  or  to  neglect  and  contemn 
the  ins  ituted  means  of  grace.  Thy  infinite  con- 
descension and  goodness,  O  God,  in  setting  f  )rth 
and  conveying,  by  ordinances  and  rites,  the  bless- 
ings of  salvation,  demand  mv  sincere  and  lively 

P 


170  Saturday  Morning. 

gratitude.  May  I  devoutly  magnify  thy  name, 
that,  by  lively  symbols  addressing  and  engaging 
my  senses,  thou  dost  powerfully  impress  on  my 
understanding  the  awful  and  affecting  mysterit^s  of 
my  redemption,  and  dost  awaken  the  aftections  of 
my  soul  in  thy  love  and  service.  Evtr  mindful 
that  thy  almighty  power  can  give  efficacy  to  the 
most  humble  instruments,  may  I  discern,  by  the 
eye  of  faith,  under  the  outward  and  vmble  signs 
of  thy  holy  sacraments,  the  inward  and  spiritual 
grace  which  they  signify  and  are  designed  to  con- 
vey. Save  me,  O  God,  Irom  the  guilt  and  pre- 
sun^ption  of  endeavouring  to  separate  what  thou 
hast  inviolably  connected;  of  presuming  to  claim 
thy  grace  and  mercy,  while  I  neglect  or  contemn 
the  means  2Lnd pledges  by  which  they  are  conveyed 
and  assured  to  me.  To  the  holy  sacraments  and 
ordinances  of  thy  church  may  I  ever  have  recourse, 
as  the  divine  seals  by  which  thy  mercy  is  conveyed 
to  my  soul — the  channels  by  which  quickening, 
purifying,  and  refreshing  streams  flow  from  the 
fountain  of  thy  grace.  And  while  I  thus  reverence 
thy  holy  ordinances,  and  by  steadfastly  and  con- 
stantly partaking  of  them,  keep  up  my  communion 
with  thee,  my  God,  may  I  ever  remember  that 
their  inestimubk  blessings  are  fully  conveyed  only 
to  the  humble,  the  penitent,  and  the  faithful. 
Teach  me,  therefrrt,  O  God,  sedulously  to  cherish 
those  virtues  of  humility,  of  penitence,  and  of  faith, 
by  which  alone  I  can  be  a  worthy  partaker  of  thy 
holy  sacraments,  and  expect  to  receive  in  them 
the  communications  of  thy  grace  and  love.  O 
be  thou  pleased  ever  to  guide  and  aid  me  in  my 
preparation  for  thy  holy  ordinances.  Let  thy  pre- 
venting grace  quicken  my  penitence,  confirm  my 


Saturday  Morning,  171 

faith,  and  awaken  my  gratitude  and  love;  that 
thus  partaking  of  thy  ordinances  under  a  lively- 
sense  of  my  unworthiness,  and  with  earnest  desires 
for  thy  grace  and  mercy,  they  may  seal  to  my  soul 
the  blessings  of  redemption,  and  reinstate  me  in 
thy  everlasting  love  and  favour.  Hear  me  in  these 
my  humble  supplications,  O  merciful  God,  and 
irrant  that  the  ordinances  of  thy  church  establishing 
in  my  soul  celestial  graces  and  virtues,  may  pre- 
pare me  for  admission  into  thy  heavenly  kingdom, 
where  my  soul  shall  drink  at  the  fountain  of  im- 
mortal pleasure,  and  be  satisfied  with  the  fulness  of 
glory  and  bliss,  through  Jesus  Christ  my  Mediator 
and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


MEDITATION. 

The  mode  by  wlilcli  aut'iority  to  adminuter  the  Sacraments  is  to  be. 
derived  t'roru  Carist,  the  Divine  Head  of  the  Cliurch. 

Considering  the  sacraments  as  means  and 
pledges  of  divine  grace  and  mercy,  it  must 
be  evident  that  their  efficacy  depends  not  on 
any  inherent  virtue,  but  on  the  j^oicer  of  God 
which  accompanies  ihem.  Hence  results  the 
important  truth,  that  in  order  to  be  effectual, 
to  be  acknowledged  by  God,  and  accompanied 
by  his  power,  they  must  be  administered  by 
those  who  have  received  a  commission  for 
the  purpose  from  him.  It  is  of  the  utmost 
importance,  therefore,  to  ascertain  with  whom 
God  has  vested  authority  to  administer  tiiose 
sacraments  which  derive  all  tiieir  efficacy 
from  being  administered  according  to  bis 
appointment. 


172  Saturday  Morning, 

The  Son  of  God,  as  the  Redeemer  of  man- 
kind, was  constituted  by  his  Almighty  Father 
the  "Head  of  the  church."  To  him,  as  the 
King  and  Ruler  of  this  spiritual  kingdom, 
"  aJl  power  was  given  in  heaven  and  in  earth." 
From  iiim,  therefore,  must  emanate  all  au- 
thority in  the  church.  The  fanatic  or  enthu- 
siast, who,  invading  any  of  the  ministerial 
functions,  pretends  that  he  has  received  im- 
Qncdiatchf  from  God  a  divine  commission, 
cannot  claim  the  confidence  of  mankind,  un- 
less, like  the  apostles,  he  proves,  by  the  ex- 
ercise o^  miraculous  poucr,  that  God  is  in- 
deed with  him.  Every  claim  to  the  ministerial 
function,  in  the  present  day,  founded  on  an 
immediate  commission  from  God,  must  be 
rejected  as  false  and  impious.  There  remains, 
therefore,  no  way  in  which  spiritual  authority 
can  be  derived  from  the  divine  Head  of  the 
church,  but  through  the  agency  of  a  set  of 
men  originally  deriving  their  authority  from 
Christ,  and  successively  transmitting  "  it  to 
the  end  of  the  world." 

In  inquiring  concerning  the  constitution  of 
the  Christian  ministry,  we  would  certainly  be 
authorized  in  supposing,  that  in  its  orders  it 
would  resemble  the  JeirAsh  priesthood.  The 
Christian  dispensation  was  only  the  glorious 
development  and  consummation  of  that  divine 
system  of  grace  and  mercy,  the  outlines  of 
which  had  been  traced  in  the  types  and 
shadows  of  the  Jewish  ritual.  As  the  types 
and  shadows  of  the  law  were  not  abolished. 


Saturdaij  Morning,  173 

but  all  gloriously  fulfilled  in  the  Saviour,  and 
in  the  ordinances  of  his  spiritual  kingdom, 
the  presumption  surely  is  not  unwarrantable, 
that  as  the  Jewish  priesthood  subsisted  under 
the  three  orders  of  high  priest,  priests,  and 
levites,  so  the  Christian  ministry  would  be 
constituted  under  three  orders  resembling 
these.  Accordingly,  the  notion  was  prevalent 
among  the  primitive  fathers,  that  the  orders 
ot  bishops,  priests,  and  deacons,  in  the  Chris- 
tian church,  were  instituted  in  conformity  to 
the  three  orders  of  the  priesthood  in  tho 
Jewish  church. 

That  Christ  transferred  all  spiritual  power 
in  the  church  to  the  apostles,  is  evident  from 
the  commission  wliich  he  gave  them.  "  As 
my  Father  sent  me,  even  so  send  I  you." 
The  Father  sent  him,  the  Prophet,  the  Priest, 
and  Ruler  of  the  church.  The  apostles, 
therefore,  were  commissioned  to  be  the  pro- 
phetSf  the  priests,  and  the  governors  of  the 
church. 

That  this  commission  was  not  temporary, 
and  to  die  with  the  apostles  ;  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, was  to  be  perpetuated  in  tlie  church, 
is  evident  from  the  concluding  words  of  the 
commission  :  "  Lo,  1  am  with  you  alway, 
even  to  the  end  of  the  world.''''  The  apostles 
and  their  successors,  therefore,  were  commis- 
sioned to  promulgate  the  terms  of  salvation, 
to  teach  and  enforce  its  doctrines  and  duties. 
They  were  also  commissioned  to  intercede 
fur  and  bless  the  people,  and  to  present  ia 
P  2 


174  Saturday  Monmig, 

the  holy  eucharisi  the  commemorative  sacri-^ 
fice  of  the  death  of  Christ.  They  were  fur- 
ther commissioned  to  govern  the  church,  to 
admit  into  and  to  exclude  from  its  commu- 
nion, to  enact  its  laws,  and  to  administer  its 
discipline.  And  this  authority  was  to  be 
transmitted  in  the  church  "  alway,  even  to 
the  end  of  the  world." 

Whether  the  priesthood  vested  with  these 
high  and  spiritual  powers  was  to  subsist  under 
only  one  order,  or  under  several  orders,  with 
powers  in  some  respects  distinct  and  appro- 
priate, is  a  question  which  \\\e practice  oi  Xhe 
apostles,  who  were  appointed  by  Christ  to 
constitute  the  church,  must  determine.  That 
the  apostles  ordained  elders  and  deacons  in 
the  different  churches,  and  vested  them  with 
certain  ministerial  powers,  will  readily  be 
admitted.  And  that  there  was  an  order  con- 
stituted superior  to  these,  with  the  exclusive 
power  of  ordaininor  to  the  ministry,  is  a  fact 
equally  undeniable.  In  Ephesus  certainly, 
and  most  probably  in  Crete,  ciders  were  at 
an  early  period  nppointed,  (Acts  xx.  17,  28.) 
Afterwards  Paul  commissioned  Timothy  and 
Titus,  and  sent  thiMu  to  those  |)laces,  for  the 
express  purpose  i)f  ordaining  elders  in  every 
city,  (1  Tim.  v.  22.  Tiuis  i.  5.)  Was  not  this 
commission  anal)surd  and  useless  one,  if  the 
elders  in  those  places  possessed  the  [)ower  of 
ordination?  Even  all  .wing  thnt  the  concur- 
rence if  the  elders  was  nec.essfirv  in  ord  nniag 
to  the  ministry,  and  governing  the  church, 


Safurday  Ahniinf^,  17^ 

tlie  commission  given  to  Timothy  anrl  Titus 
certainly  proves  that  the  supreme  power  was 
vested  in  them;  and  that  without  lliem  power 
in  the  church  could  not  be  h^gitim.itely  exer- 
cised. That  the  priesthood,  therefore,  was 
constituted  under  three  ordf^rs ;  and  that  to 
the  first  order  beh:)nged  the  power  of  ordaining 
to  the  ministry,  atid  of  thus  perpetuating  the 
priesthood  through  all  ages  of  tiie  church,  are 
facts  established  by  the  testimony  of  Scrip- 
ture. That  these  orders  are  not  now  distin- 
guished by  tlie  same  names  by  which  they 
were  designated  during  tlie  age  of  tlie  apos- 
tles;  that  the  name  i)i' bishoj},  now  applied 
to  the  first  order,  is  frequently,  in  the  sacred 
writings,  applied  to  the  8rco//<^  order,  are  poi tits 
unworthy  oi*  a  moment's  attention  in  this  im- 
portant inquiry.  By  the  clear  evidence  of 
Scripture /acf,  the  division  of  the  Christ isn 
ministry  into  three  or(iers  ;  the  approjiriation 
of  the  povver  (>{  ordination  to  the  first  order, 
thus  constituted  the  only  leoitimate  channel 
of  conveying  the  divine  comsnission  necessary 
to  the  exercise  of  the  mijiistry,  m  ly  be  satis- 
factorily [)roved.  The  chantros  wliich  may 
have  taken  place  in  tlie  names  by  which  these 
orders  have  l>een  designat^Ml,  cannot  alf..ct 
the  distinction  of  ofiice  and  power  among 
them. 

But  if  it  should  be  conceived,  that  the 
Scripture  testimony  on  this  important  subject 
is  in  any  respect  dubious,  where  may  we  seek 
for  sulisfactory  ligiii  and  information  I     Ger- 


176  Saturday  Morning. 

tainly  in  the  faith  and  practice  of  the  primitive 
church.     These,   unquestionably,   afford   the 
clejjrest  and  best  light  by  which  to  elucidate 
and   establish  the   meaning  of  Scripture   in 
parts  which  admit  of  doubt  and  controversy. 
Founded,  as  tiie  primitive  church  was,  by  the 
inspired  apostles;   and  having  access,  as  its 
venerable  fathers  had,  to  the  source  of  divine 
truth  and  knowledge  ;  it  is  scarcely  possil)le 
that  we  can  err,  if  we  take  its  univt^rsal  faith 
and  usage  as  the  standard  by  which  to  inter- 
prt ft  the  sacred  writings.     To  t'ust,  indeed, 
to  the  single  testimony  of  any  one  father  of 
the  church,   or   to    embrace    his  speculative 
op?///r>7/sor  interpretations  of  kScripture,  woidd 
Jbe  indiscreetly  to  take  as  our  guides,  imper- 
fect and  fallible  men.     But  thouijh  liable  to 
error  in  judgment,  the  primitive  fathers  must 
be  revered  as  men  of  exalted   piety  and  in- 
tegrity.    As  imtNesses  to  fnatters  of  fact,  to 
the  doctrines  which  were  universally  received, 
and  to  the  usages  which  universally  prevailed 
in  the  church,  their  testimony  is  invalual)le  ; 
ami    in   all   controverted    points,    siiould    be 
decisive.     Whenever  we   find   the  primitive 
fathers  concur  in  testifying  that  any  doctrine 
or    usage    was    universally    received    in    the 
church  as  of  divine  authority  and  institution — 
to  doubt  or  rtject  their  testimony  would  be 
at  once  to  relinquish  the  very  foundations  of 
the  Christian  faiih.     For  their  testimony  is 
necessary  to  establish  the  canon  of  {Scripture  ; 
to  prove  that  the  books  which  we  now  receive 


Saturday  Morning,  177 

as  inspired  books,  were  revered  and  received 
as  sucii  in  the  apostolic  and  primitive  age. 

To  the  first  writers  of  the  church,  therefore, 
we  may  safely  recur  for  information  in  regard 
to  its  constitution,  and  the  orders  of  the  mi- 
nistry. As  these  were  matters  of  fact,  it  is 
not  possible  that  the  primitive  fathers  could 
err  in  regard  to  them  :  and  since  they  were 
men  of  undoubted  piety  and  integrity,  they 
would  not  attempt  to  deceive.  It  may  con- 
fidently be  asserted,  that  their  testimony  is 
not  more  clear  and  decisive,  in  regard  to  the 
genuineness  and  authenticity  of  the  books  of 
the  sacred  volume,  than  in  regard  to  the  facts 
— that  the  ministry  was  instituted  by  Christ 
and  his  apostles,  under  three  distinct  and 
8vbo7'dinate  orders;  that  these  orders,  retain- 
ing uniformly  the  same  distinct  ecclesiastical 
authority,  were  first  styled  apostles — bishops, 
presbyters  or  elders — and  deacons;  and  after- 
wards bishops — presbyters,  priests  or  elders 
— and  deacons  ;  that  no  one  could  lawfully 
exercise  the  ministry,  unless  ordained  by  a 
bishop ;  and  that,  through  the  order  of  bi- 
shops, as  successors  to  the  apostles,  the 
priesthood  was  to  be  perpetuated,  and  all 
power  to  be  derived  from  Christ,  the  supreme 
Head  of  the  church. 

It  is  conceded  by  those  who,  within  these 
few  last  centuries,  have  advanced  the  novel 
opinion  of  the  original  parity  of  the  orders 
of  the  ministry,  that  bishops  were  universally 
considered  in  the  fourth  century  as  superior 


178  Saturday  Morning, 

to  presbyters  and  deacons.  It  is  unfortunate 
for  them,  when  they  maintain  that  the  supre- 
macy of  bishops  was  an  innovation  on  the 
apostolic  constitution  of  the  church,  that  no 
vestiges  can  be  traced  of  a  revolution  which 
must  have  sliaken  the  foundations  of  the 
church  ;  that  no  record  can  be  found  of  this 
daring  usurpation  of  authority,  by  a  few  am- 
bitious presbyters,  over  the  rest  of  their  bre- 
thren ;  and  that  there  are  scarcely  any  two  of 
those  who  assert  this  usurpation,  who  agree 
as  to  the  time  when  it  took  place.  Is  not 
the  conclusion  irresistible  and  irrefragable, 
that  if  the  church  universal,  from  the  third 
to  the  sixteenth  century,  was  governed  by 
hiskopSf  as  superior  \o presbyters  and  deacons 
— and  if  no  period  can  be  ascertained  when 
this  government  was  introduced  into  the 
church,  it  must  be  traced  to  apostolic  institu- 
tion, and  of  course  rest  on  divine  authority!* 
This  discussion  is  of  the  highest  import- 
ance to  him  who  is  preparing  to  receive  the 
holy  eucharist.  For  the  important  truth  re- 
sults from  it,  that  none  can  possess  authority 
to  administer  the  sacraments  but  those  who 
have  received  a  commission  from  the  bishops 
of  the  church.  It  must  be  essential,  therefore, 
to  the  efficacy  of  the  Lord's  supper,  as  a 
means  and  pledge  of  divine  grace,  that  it  be 
administered  by  those  who  have  received 
lawjul  authority  to  administer  it. 

•  Sec  nete  A  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 


Saturday  Morning*  179 

To  this  statement,  whioh  makes  the  bless- 
ings of  the  Gospel  to  depend  on  communion 
with  the  church,  by  the  participation  of  its 
ordinances,  administered  by  duly  authorized 
ministers,  the  objection  may  be  opposed,  that 
it  is  narroicing  the  path  of  salvation.  But  if 
a  solicitude  be  commendable  to  prevent  the 
path  of  salvation  from  being  unduly  narrowed 
and  confined,  the  solicitude  to  prevent  it  from 
being  made  more  wide  and  easy  than  God 
has  made  it,  is  surely  also  commendable. 
To  undervalue  or  remove  those  institutions 
which  God  hath  established  as  the  means  of 
salvation,  is  to  contemn  his  authority,  and  to 
endanger  the  souls  of  men.  It  is  an  unau- 
thorized, a  criminal,  a  cruel  charity,  which 
would  present  salvation  to  men,  stripped  of 
those  conditions  on  which  it  is  attainable. 
Real  charity,  the  charity  which  most  effectu- 
ally promotes  the  welffire  of  men,  would  lead 
us  faithfully  to  point  out  the  conditions  on 
which  God  will  restore  fallen  man  to  his 
favour;  and  then  earnestly  and  atfectiondtely 
to  enforce  these  conditions.  In  the  inscrut- 
able plan  of  Divine  Providence,  as  it  has 
hitherto  been  unfolded,  every  dispensation  of 
his  grace  has  been  confined  to  a  part  only  of 
mankind.  Did  he  not  call  Abraham  and  his 
family  from  a  corrupt  world  to  be  the  distin- 
guished repositories  of  his  will,  his  blessing, 
and  favour]  Were  not  the  Jews  separated 
from  the  rest  of  the  world,  to  be  his  "hosen 
people ;   to  whom  "  pertained  the  adoption 


180  Saturday  Morning, 

and  the  glory,  and  the  covenants,  and  the 
givino^  of  the  law,  and  the  service  of  God, 
and  the  promises  f'  Are  not  Christians  now 
called  from  the  rest  of  the  world  to  be  "  a 
chosen  generation,  a  royal  priesthood,  a  pecu- 
liar peof)le  ;"  blessed  with  the  glorious  light 
of  the  Gospel,  with  the  consoling  and  reno- 
vatiuiT  efficacy  of  the  Redeemer's  merits  and 
grace,  with  the  splendid  hopes  of  immortality  ? 
In  thus  distinguishing  particular  portions  of 
the  human  race  with  his  peculiar  favours, 
God  "  acts  according  to  the  counsel  of  his 
own  will;"  "  he  giveth  not  to  man  an  account 
of  his  doings;"  he  asserts  the  power  of  the 
potter  over  his  clay,  "  to  create  one  vessel  to 
honour,  and  another  to  dishonour."  As  the 
Almighty  Creator  of  the  world,  God  may 
distribute  his  favours  to  mankind  according 
to  his  sovereign  pleasure.  And  when  he 
finally  determines  the  destinies  of  men,  ac- 
cording to  the  improvement  which  they  have 
made  of  the  privileges  conferred  upon  them, 
it  can  be  no  imputation  on  his  justice  or 
goodness  that  he  distinguishes  with  peculiar 
favours  particular  portions  of  the  human  race, 
and  renders  them  capable  of  hicrher  bliss  in 
a  future  state  of  existence.  To  suppose  that 
the  patriarchs,  on  whom  shone  the  peculiar 
blessings  of  heaven  ;  that  the  favoured  nation 
of  the  Israelites,  to  whom  the  law  was  ^iven 
in  its  divine  majesty  and  lustre ;  and  that 
Christirms,  under  the  luminous  and  glorious 
dispensation  of  the  Gospel,  were  not  rendered 


Saturday  Morning,  18 i 

capable  of  higher  degrees  of  virtue  and  hap- 
piness than  the  rest  of  mankind;  would  be 
to  strip  the  favour  and  grace  of  God  of  their 
value  and  efficacy,  and  to  render  futile  and 
contemptible  the  ordinances  which  he  has 
appointed  as  the  means  of  communion  with 
him. 

The  Judge  of  the  whole  earth  indeed  will 
do  right.  The  grace  of  God  quickens  and 
animates  all  the  degenerate  children  of  Adam, 
The  mercy  of  the  Saviour  is  co-extensive  with 
the  ruin  into  which  sin  has  plunged  mankind. 
And  **  in  every  nation,  he  that  feareth  God 
and  worketh  righteousness,  is  accepted  with 
him."  But  where  the  Gospel  is  proclaimed, 
communion  with  the  church  by  the  participa- 
tion of  its  ordinances  at  the  hands  of  the 
duly  authorized  priesthood,  is  the  prescribed 
method  of  salvation,*  Separation  from  the 
divinely  constituted  ministry  of  the  church, 
when  it  proceeds  from  in  oluntarij  and  un- 
avoidable ignorance  or  error,  we  have  reason 
to  trust  will  not  intercept,  from  the  humble, 
the  penitent,  and  obedient,  the  blessings  of 
God's  favour.  But  when  we  humbly  submit 
to  that  priesthood  which  Christ  and  his  apos- 
tles constituted ;  when  in  the  lively  exercise 
of  penitence  and  faith,  we  partake  of  the  or- 

*  In  the  first  editions  tlie  expression  was,  "  indispensable  cortflitinn  of 
salvation  ;"  liy  which  the  author  meant  n  condition  vith  uiiich  nmn  liad 
no  right  to  dispense.  And  he  supposed  his  mewning  would  noi  be  mis- 
iinderstood,  EJiiie,  in  the  very  next  sentence,  lie  exi)iesse(i  ilie  opinion, 
that  in  certain  cases  tliei  •-  was  reason  to  trust  God  would  dispense  with 
the  condition  which  he  had  prescribed.  The  nneaning  of  the  author;, 
however,  having  been  misuodei-stood,  the  passage  has  teen  altered. 

Q 


182  Saturday  Mornhig. 

dinances  administered  by  them  ;  we  niaintair* 
our  communion  with  that  church  which  the 
Redeemer  purifies  by  his  blood;  which  he 
quickens  by  his  Spirit ;  and  whose  faithful 
members  he  will  finally  crown  with  the  most 
exalted  glories  of  his  heavenly  kingdom. 
The  important  truth  which  the  universal 
church  has  uniformly  maintained,  that  to  ex- 
perience the  full  efi^icacy  of  the  sacraments, 
we  must  receive  them  from  a  valid  authority, 
is  not  inconsistent  with  that  charity  which 
extends  mercy  to  all  who  labour  under  in- 
xolinitary  error.  But  great  is  the  guilt,  and 
imminent  the  danger,  of  those  who,  possess- 
ing the  means  of  arriving  at  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  negUgcntly  or  uilfully  continue 
in  a  state  of  separation  from  the  authorized 
ministry  of  the  church,  and  participate  of 
ordinances  administered  by  an  irregular  and 
invalid  authority.  Wilfully  rending  the  peace 
and  unity  of  the  ciiurch,  by  separating  from 
the  ministrations  of  its  authorized  priesthood; 
and  contemning  the  means  Vv'hich  God  in  iiis 
sovereign  pleasure  liath  prescribed  for  their 
salvation  ;  they  are  guilty  of  rebellion  against 
their  almighty  Lawgiver  and  Judge  ;  they 
expose  themselves  to  the  awful  displeasure 
of  that  almighty  Jehovah,  wlio  will  not  permit 
his  institutions  to  be  contemned,  or  his  au- 
thority violated  with  impunity. 

Let  it  be,  therefore,  thy  supreme  care,  O 
mv  soul,  to  receive  t!ie  blessed  sacrament  of 
the  body  and  blood  of  thy  Saviour,  only  from 


Saturday  MGrning.  183 

ihc  hands  of  those  who  derive  their  authority 
by  regular  transmission  from  Christ,  the  di- 
vine Head  of  the  church,  the  only  legitimate 
source  of  power  in  it.  Thou  wiit  then  enjoy 
the  assurance,  that  his  holy  sacrament,  w4iich 
derives  all  its  efficacy  from  the  accompanying 
power  of  Christ,  administered  by  those  to 
whom  he  hath  given  his  commission  and  au- 
thority, will  be  acknowledged  and  blessed  by 
him  to  thy  comfort  and  salvation  :  will,  if 
humbly  and  devoutly  received  by  ihce,  be  the 
mean  and  pledge  of  his  pardoning  mercy 
and  strengthening  grace.  By  preserving  thy 
communion  with  the  authorized  priestliood  ; 
by  revering  that  ministerial  authority,  and 
submitting  to  those  institutions  w^hich  thy 
Saviour  established  ;  thou  wilt  maintain  the 
unit]/  of  the  church,  and  thus  fulfil  the  high 
injunction  of  Christ  and  his  apostles  often 
repeated  and  earnestly  enforced.  The  hum- 
ble and  obedient  member  of  his  church  on 
earth,  thou  wilt  finally  be  advanced  to  those 
glorious  rewards  which  he  hath  prepared  in 
the  Church  Triumphant,  for  all  the  faithful 
members  of  his  mystical  body. 

Deplorable,  indeed,  in  this  degenerate  day, 
is  the  state  of  the  church,  where  sect  ariseth 
against  sect,  and  altar  against  altar ;  where 
the  apostolic  ministry  is  invaded  and  violated ; 
ordinances  administered  by  invalid  authority; 
and  that  sacred  "  body,"  which  should  be 
"  one"  \\\\h  its  divine  ''  Head,"  rent  by  num- 
berless schisms.  .  Let  it  be  the  subject  of  thy 


184  Saturday  Morning. 

earnest  prayers  to  God,  that  by  bestowing  on 
the  church  the  divine  spirit  of  peace  and  eon- 
cord,  he  would  heal  the  divisions  that  now 
deface  her  glory.  Let  it  be  the  object  of  thy 
earnest  solicitude  and  exertions,  to  restore 
all  who  profess  themselves  Christians,  to  that 
apostolic  order  and  ministry  which  were  so 
long  the  glory  of  the  universal  church.  She 
would  then  shine  forth,  as  she  did  in  the 
primitive  ages,  in  the  garments  of  glory  and 
beauty  ;  and,  attracting  the  nations  within 
her  spiritual  fold,  would  become  a  praise 
throughout  the  earth.  *'  Jerusalem  would  be 
as  a  city  that  is  at  unity  in  itself.  Thither 
tlie  tribes  would  go  up,  even  the  tribes  of  the 
Lord,  to  testify  unto  Israel,  and  to  give  thanks 
unto  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Christians, 
communing  with  the  authorized  ministers  of 
the  church,  by  the  participation  of  the  sacra- 
ments and  ordinances  duly  administered  by 
them,  would  be  united  "  as  one  fold  under 
one  shepherd  :"  from  their  divine  Head  they 
would  derive  life,  strength,  and  salvation  ; 
partaking  at  the  same  altar  of  the  sacred 
body  and  blood  of  their  Saviour,  they  would 
be  nourished  and  prepared  for  the  transcend- 
dMl  bliss  of  the  Church  Triumphant. 


THE  PRAYER. 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  who  hast 
"  built  thy  church  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apos- 
tles and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the 


Saturday  Morning.  185' 

chief  corner-stone;'*  teach  me  ever  to  bear  ia 
mind,  that  m  thy  wise  and  sovereign  Providence 
thou  hast  made  this  church  the  channel  through 
which  thy  covenanted  mercies  are  conveyed  to  a 
fallen  world.  Blessed  be  thy  name,  that  tliou  hast 
called  me  into  a  state  of  salvation ;  and  through  the 
sacrament  of  baptism,  conferred  on  me  a  title  to 
the  privileges  of  thy  holy  church.  Impress  on  me 
the  awful  guilt  and  danger  of  forfeiting,  by  disobe- 
dience, by  impenitence,  or  by  neglect  of  thy  holy 
ordinances,  my  title  to  the  inestimable  privileges 
of  my  Christian  vocation.  In  the  exercise  of  lively 
penitence  and  faith,  may  I  humbly  and  thankfully 
partake  of  the  ordinances  of  thy  church  ;  and  thus 
maintaining  my  communion  with  it,  derive  from 
Jesus,  its  divine  Head,  pardon,  grace,  consolation, 
eternal  glory.  May  I  ever  value,  above  all  worldly- 
distinctions  and  pleasures,  the  privilege  of  being 
a  member  of  thy  church;  and  of  thus  having 
access  to  the  infinite  fountain  of  thy  grace  and 
mercy,  thy  everlasting  love.  Instead  of  presump- 
tuously arraigning  thy  sovereign  iubtitutions,  may 
I  gratefully  and  humbly  adore  thee,  that  by  the 
ordinances  of  thy  church,  thou  dost  \'ouchsafe  to 
confer  upon  me  the  immortal  blessings  which, 
through  transgression,  I  had  forfeited. 

I  bless  thee,  O  God,  that  by  instituting  officers 
in  thy  church,  vested  with  a  divine  commission  for 
the  exercise  of  spiritual  powers,  thou  hast  made 
effectual  provision  for  the  administrarion  of  her 
sacraments  and  discipline,  for  her  peace,  her  order, 
her  unity  and  glory.  Almighty  God,  "  th  gi\xr 
of  all  good  gifts,  who,  of  thy  d.\  ine  Prov  de:ice, 
hast  appointed  divers  orders  n  hy  church,  i^ive 
thv  grace,  I  humbly  beseech  thee,  to  all  thobe  who 

Q2 


186  Saturday  Morning, 

are  called  to  any  office  and  administration  in  the 
same  ;  and  so  replenish  them  with  the  truth  of  thy 
doctrine,  and  endue  them  with  innocency  of  life, 
that  they  may  faithfully  serve  before  thee,  to  the 
glory  of  thy  great  name,  and  the  benefit  of  thy  holy 
church."  Blessed  Jesus,  the  divine  Head  and 
Redeemer  of  thy  mystical  body  the  church,  who 
dost  possess  "  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth," 
may  '*  the  course  of  this  world  be  so  peaceably 
ordered  by  thy  governance,  that  thy  church  may 
evermore  serve  thee  in  peace  and  quietness." 
"  Clothe  thy  priests  with  salvation,  that  thy  people 
may  rejoice."  Thy  servants,  the  bishops,  in  whom 
is  vested,  through  thy  mercy,  the  power  of  perpe- 
tuating in  thy  church,  *'  to  the  end  of  the  world," 
the  divine  authority  pf  the  priesthood,  evermcjre 
guide  and  bless  by  thy  heavenly  grace;  "  that 
they  may  lay  hands  suddenly  on  no  man,  but  faith- 
fully and  wisely  make  choice  of  fit  persons  to  serve 
in  the  sacred  ministry  of  thy  holy  church."  To 
ihem,  as  well  as  to  all  other  ministers,  the  presby- 
ters and  deacons  who  serve  in  thy  holy  sanctuary, 
give  thy  "  heavenly  benediction  ;  that,  both  by 
their  life  and  doctrine,  they  may  set  forth  thy  true 
and  lively  word,  and  rightly  and  duly  administer 
thy  holy  sacraments."  On  me,  also,  thy  unworthy 
servant,  shtd,  O  merciful  God,  thy  heavenly 
grace,  that,  by  devoutly  attending  on  the  minis- 
trations of  thy  priesthood,  I  may  continue  in  the 
unity  of  thy  church  ;  and  refreshed  and  strength- 
ened by  the  mercy  and  grace  dispeiised  through 
thy  ordinances,  may  serve  thee  in  holiufss  and 
righteousness  all  the  days  of  my  life,  and  fii  lall}  be 
a  partaker  of  the  giory  and  felicity  of  thy  heavenly 
kingdom. 


Saturday  Morning,  18  T 

Almighty  God,  have  mercy  upon  thy  holy 
church,  the  spiritual  Zion  in  which  thou  dost  de-^ 
light  to  dwell.  '*  Inspire  her  continually  with  the 
spirit  of  truth,  unity,  and  concord.**  Rebuild  thou 
her  waste  places;  restore  her  in  the  beauty  of 
holiness ;  unite  in  her  communion  all  those  who 
call  upon  thy  name  ;  may  they  reverence  thy  power 
in  the  persons  of  the  ministering  servants  of  thy 
church,  and  endeavour  to  keep  the  unity  of  the 
spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.  May  the  lamp  of  truths 
in  thy  sanctULiry  sheddmg  divine  light,  disperse  all 
heresy  and  error,  and  its  altar  ever  be  attended  by 
devout  and  holy  guests.  May  the  whole  of  thy 
dispersed  sheep,  blessed  Jesus,  be  brought  home 
to  thy  flock,  and  united  in  one  fold  under  thee,  the 
great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  their  souls,  who 
livest  and  reignest  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen, 

SATURDAY   EVENING* 


MEDITATION. 

On  the  Nature  and  Benefits  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

And  as  they  -were  eating,  Jesus  took  bread,  and  blessed  it,  and  broke 
it,  and ^ave  it  to  the  disciples,  and  said,  Take,  eat ,  this  is  my  body. 
And  he  took  the  cup,  and  s^ave  thanks,  and  gave  it  to  them,  saying. 
Drink  ye  all  of  it :  For  this  is  my  blood  of  the  Jieio  testament,  which 
is  shed  for  many  for  the  re  nission  of  sins.     \l;ttt   xxvi   2'i,  27,  8cc. 

It  was  in  the  solemn  and  interesting  hour, 
when  a  cruel  death  was  about  to  separate  the 
blessed  Jesus  from  his  disciples,  and  when 
sorrow  and  despondency,  in  the  prospect  of 
losing  their  beloved  Master,  had  overwhelmed 
them — that  our  Saviour  instituted  a  holy  rite 
tQ  be  the  seal  of  his  mercy  and  grace,  and 


188  Safurdai/  Evening, 

enjoined  it  on  his  disciples,  as  the  Riemoriai 
of  his  dying  love.     Engaged  in  celebrating 
the  passover,  a  rite  commemorative  of  the 
deliverance  of  the  Jeu^s  from   the  wrath  of 
thH  destroying  angel,  he  had  been  offering  up 
the  paschal  lamb,  a  memorial  of  that  lamb, 
whose  blood,  sprinkled  on  the  houses  of  the 
Jeu^s,  had  been  the  pledge  of  their  deliver- 
ance.    But  the  time  had  arrived  when  the 
shadows  and  types  of  the  law  were  to  be  all 
consummated  in  the  glorious  person  of  the 
Saviour,  whom  they   had   all  foreshown,   to 
whom  they  had  all  borne  witness.     Instead 
of  the  le^al  victim^  he  substituted  himself  as 
the  trui^  paschal  lamb,  and  to  avert  the  wrath 
of  divine  justice  from  a  guilty  world,  offered 
himself  up  an   all- suffice  lent   sacrifice   to  his 
Almisfhty  Father.     He  took  bread,  and  con- 
secrated it  to  be  tl'.e  symbol  of  his  body,  which 
was  to  be  given  for  the  sins  of  the  world. 
He  blessed  the  cup  of  icine,  to  represent  his 
blood,  which  was  to  be  shed  to  atone  for  sin. 
He  appointed  these  sacred  elements  to  be  the 
representative  symbols  of  the  sacrifice  of  the 
cross,  the  memorial  of  his  precious  sufferings 
and    death,    by   which   our    redemption  was 
effected.      And    that   the    blessings   of   this 
sacrifice  might  be  conveyed  to  his  redeemed 
people   to   the   end    of  the    world,  he  gave 
authority  to  his  apostles  and  their  successors  to 
consecrate  bread  and  wine  as  the  memorials 
of  his  body  and  blood  ;    through  the  devout 
participation  of  which,  his  humble  and  penit- 


Saturday  Evening,  189 

eiit  followers  should  receive  all  the  inestima- 
ble blescjings  of  his  salvation. 

Ccjiitemplate,  O  my  soul,  with  holy  awe, 
this  sacred  mystery  ;  contemplate,  with  lively 
frratitude,  the  inestimable  blessinors  which 
thy  {Saviour  conveys  to  thee,  through  this 
hallowed  ordinance.  Christians,  uniting  with 
their  authorized  ministers  in  the  celebration 
of  this  holy  sacrament,  present  before  God  a 
memorial  of  that  all-sufficient  sacrifice  which 
the  Saviour  made.  Receiving  with  lively 
faith  the  consecrated  elements,  they  are  made 
partakers  of  all  those  blessings  which  were 
purchased  hyXh^  offering  which  Christ  made 
of  his  sacred  body  and  blood.  They  are 
cleansed  from  sin;  they  are  restored  to 
communion  and  peace  with  God  ;  they  are 
strengthened  by  the  presence  and  consola- 
tions of  his  Holy  Spirit;  they  are  preserved 
by  the  vivifying  body  and  blood  of  Christ 
unto  everlasting  life. 

Oh!  sublime  and  precious  mystery !  Jesus, 
exalted  in  glory,  condescends  to  become,  by 
representative  symbols,  the  spiritual  food^ 
support,  and  strength^  of  his  people.  Sur- 
rounding this  holy  table,  Christians  hear  the 
voice  of  their  blessed  Redeemer  pronouncing 
their  pardon  ;  they  receive,  as  it  were,  from 
his  own  hands,  the  pledges  of  their  salvation, 
the  sacred  emblems  of  his  life-crivinor  bodv 
and  blood.  "  As  often  as  they  eat  this  bread 
and  drink  this  cup,  they  do  show  forth  the 
Lord's  death  till  he  come," 


190  Saturday  Eveninir. 

Bless  God,  O  my  soul,  for  his  infinite  iove 
in  giving  his  only  Son  for  thy  redemption. 
Bless  thy  Saviour  for  graciously  condescend- 
ing to  institute  a  rite,  in  which,  under  the 
most  lively  and  affecting  emblems,  thou  may- 
esi  commemorate  his  death,  and  be  made 
partaker  of  the  benefits  of  his  passion.  Art 
tiiou  desirous,  O  my  soul,  to  obtain  that  peace 
and  happiness  which  thou  hast  in  vain  sought 
from  a  disappointing  world!  Go  to  the  holy 
suf)per  of  thy  Lord,  where  he  waits  to  dis- 
pense to  thee  a  peace  which  passeth  all  un- 
derstanding; which  the  w'orld  can  neither 
give  nor  take  away;  which  his  infinite  mercy 
inspires ;  which  his  almighty  grace  cherishes ; 
and  which  shall  flourish  for  ever  under  the 
smiles  of  his  love.  Art  thou  weary  and  heavy 
laden,  O  my  soul,  under  the  burden  of  thy 
sins,  under  the  oppressing  cares  and  sorrows 
of  the  world  I  Go  to  the  altar,  where  the 
arms  of  thy  Redeemer  are  extended  to  em- 
brace thee,  to  shield  thee  in  his  bosom  from 
every  guilty  pang,  and  from  every  corroding 
sorrow.  Do  unholy  passions  invade  thy  peace ; 
does  temptation  overcome  thy  frail  resolu- 
tions ;  does  sin  defile  thee,  O  my  soul,  and 
render  thee  obnoxious  to  that  God  who  is  of 
purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity?  Goto 
the  altar,  where  thy  gracious  Redeemer  sits 
enthroned,  glorious  in  his  power,  mighty  to 
save.  By  his  almighty  fiat,  he  will  quell  the 
tumult  of  thy  guilty  passions;  his  heavenly 
grace  descending  upon  thee,  will  purify  thy 


Saturday  Evening,  191 

affections;  will  guide  thee  through  all  diffi- 
culries;  will  arm  thee  with  victorious  strength 
over  all  temptations.  In  the  imperfect  and 
transitory  gratifications  of  the  present  life, 
thou  dost  in  vain  seek,  O  my  soul,  for  that 
full  and  substantial  enjoyment  for  which  thy 
aspiring  powers  ardently  pant.  Go  then  to 
the  altar,  and  receiving  with  lively  faith  the 
pledges  of  tfiy  Saviour's  grace  and  mercy, 
enjoy  a  foretaste  of  that  never-ending  and 
ineffable  bliss,  which,  in  the  kingdom  of  iiea- 
ven,  thou  shalt  drink  at  the  everlasting  foun- 
tain of  perfection  and  love. 

Yes,  O  my  God,  thy  service  alone  consti- 
tutes the  perfection  of  my  nature  ;  thy  service 
alone  leads  to  perfect  and  eternal  bliss.  I 
resolve  to  choose  thee,  O  my  God,  as  my 
supreme  good,  my  unfailing  and  satisfying 
portion.  Blessed  Jesus,  thou  who  art  the 
only  way  of  access  unto  the  Father,  conduct 
me  to  the  light  of  his  reconciled  countenance. 


THE  PRAYER. 

O  MERCIFUL  and  i^racious  God,  the  fountain 
of  being  and  all  perfection  ;  I  bless  thee  that  thou 
hast  created  me  capable  of  knowing,  of  loving, 
and  of  serving  thee.  For  ever  blessed  be  thy 
name,  that  wlien  I  had  wandered  from  thee,  the 
source  of  light  and  felicity,  thou  didst  not  give  me 
up  to  that  blindness  and  misery,  which  I  had 
courted,  and  which  would  have  been  my  merited 
portion.   For  ever  blessed  be  thy  name,  that  when, 


192  Saturday  Evening, 

by  my  sins,  I  had  provoked  thy  just  displeasure, 
thou  didst,  in  mercy,  forbear  to  execute  upon  me 
the  severity  of  thy  awful  wrath.     Blessed,  for  ever 
blessed,  O  God,  be  thy  holy  name,  that  thou  didst 
even  give  thy  only -begotten  and  well- beloved  Son 
to  suffering  and  death,  to  purchase  my  redemption. 
Glor}'  be  for  ever  ascribed  to  thee,  for  the  inest- 
imable gift.     O  may  this  display  of  infinite  love 
awaken  in  my  heart  the  emotions  of  lively  grati- 
tude, and  penetrate  me  witli  compunction  for  hav- 
ing so  long  neglected  thee,  my  gracious  Redeemer 
and  God.     Dispose  me  now  to  choose  thy  service 
as  my  highest  duty,  my  bupreme  dtrlight  and  enjoy- 
ment.    Blessed  Jesus,  w  ho,  by  thy  precious  bl(jod, 
hast  atoned  for  my  sins,  and  in  the  powerful  grace 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  hast  provided  the  means  of  my 
redemption,  with  humble  reverence  and  gratitude 
I  adore  thee  for  thy  infinite  love,  in  conveying  to 
me,  by  sensible  pledges,    the  assurances  of  thy 
grace  and  mercy,  in  nourishing  and  strengthening 
me,  under  lively  emblems,  with  thy  spiritual  b(jdy 
and  blood.     O  may  my  earnest  desires  be  awa- 
kened to  partake  in  the  holy  sacrament  of  thy  -  up- 
per, of  thy  life-giving  body,  of  thy  purifying  blood 
— to  seal  by  them  my  pardon,  my  peace,  my  res- 
ton'.tion  to  holiness  and  eternal  felicity.     Do  thou, 
O  God,  awaken,  by  thy  grace,  these  holy  desires, 
and   strengthen   my   resolutions  of  serving  thee. 
Dispel  the  doubts,  allay  the  apprehensions,  remove 
every  indolent  or  sensual  pretext,  which  would  de- 
ter me  from  receiving  the  memorials  of  my  Sa- 
viour's love,  the  pledges  of  my  eternal  salvation. 
With  lively  desires,  with  humble  penitence,  and 
stendfast  faith,  approaching  this  holy  table,  may  I 
be  accepted  and  blessed,  through  Jesus  Christ,  my 
Lord  and  Redeemer.     Amen. 


Stmday  Alonimg.  193 

SUBTDAY  MORXOTG. 


MEDITATION. 

'I'he  Dispositions  with  which  the  Communicant  should  advance  to  the 

Altar. 

Thou  hast  reviewed,  O  my  soul,  thy  spi- 
ritual character,  privileges,  and  hopes.  Thou 
hast  sought  to  lay  the  foundation  of  thy  pre- 
paration for  the  holy  eucharist,  where,  in- 
deed, the  foundation  of  thy  spiritual  life 
should  be  laid,  in  a  deep  conviction  of  thy 
fallen  and  condemned  state.  Awakened  to 
a  sense  of  thy  guilt  and  unworthiness,  thou 
hast  humbled  thyself  before  the  throne  of 
God,  in  the  exercises  of  repentance  ;  and, 
having  devoted  thyself  with  renewed  ardour 
to  his  service,  hast  implored  the  succours  of  i 
his  Holy  Spirit  to  enable  thee  to  serve  liini 
in  newness  of  life.  Deeply  sensible  of  thy 
need  of  the  cleansini^  blood  and  renovating: 
grace  of  a  Saviour,  thou  hast  sought  to  secure 
^n  interest  in  his  merits  and  favour,  by  lively 
faith  in  him;  and  hast  acknowledged  him,  in 
all  his  exalted  offices,  as  the  eternal  Son  of 
the  Father,  thy  Prophet,  thy  Priest,  and  King. 
With  the  fervours  of  lively  gratitude,  thou 
hast  traced  the  series  of  sufferings  which  tiiy 
Saviour  endured  w^iih  divine  magnanimity 
and  fortitude;  which,  while  they  excited  thy 
exalted  admiration,  served  to  confirm  tliy 
faith.  Thou  hast  reviewed  the  sufferings  by 
which  the  Saviour  at  once  impressed  the 
humble  and  forgiving  spirit  of  his  Gospel,  and 
.R 


194  Stmday  Mornm[i. 

made  an  all-sufficient  expiation  for  thy  sins. 
About  to  participate  of  an  ordinance  which 
derives  all  its  efficacy  from  its  divine  Institu- 
tor,  thou  hast  attentively  considered  the  im- 
portant truth,  that  God  conveys  his  grace  and 
favour  through  the  channel  of  rites  and  ordin- 
ances, administered  by  a  priesthood  deriving 
their  authority  from  the  divine  Head  of  the 
church.  Happy  art  thou,  O  my  soul,  if,  through 
divine  grace,  that  holy  and  spiritual  life,  which 
the  ;?acred  exercises  in  which  thou  hast  been 
engaged  are  calculated  to  form  in  thee,  has 
been  excited  or  confirmed.  If  thou  hast  sin- 
cerely sought  the  mercy  and  favour  of  thy  God, 
dismiss  now  every  doubt  or  apprehension ;  and 
resolve  to  quicken  thy  repentance,  to  confirm 
thy  faith,  to  animate  thy  zeal,  to  seal  thy  vows 
of  duty  in  the  holy  eucharist.  Resolve  to  seek 
those  strenirthening,  enlivening,  and  immortal 
graces  which,  in  this  ordinance,  are  bestowed 
upon  the  penitent  and  fiiithful  soul. 

Consider  this  sacred  rite  as  a  lively  and 
afiectizig  memorial  of  the  death  of  Christ ; 
and  receive  the  symbols  of  his  sufferings  with 
humble  j^f^^iitencc. 

The  altar  presents  an  almighty  victim, 
consumed  as  a  sacrifice  to  divine  justice. 
Call  to  mind  then,  at  the  altar,  the  affecting 
truth,  that  thy  wilful  rebellion  against  the 
righteous  authority  of  God,  rendered  it  neces- 
sary that  the  eternal  ^on  should  descend 
from  the  throne  of  his  glory,  to  vindicate  and 
satisfy,  by  his  death,  the  honour  of  the  divine 


Sunday  Morning.  195 

government,  the  claims  of  divine  justice. 
Behold  thy  Saviour  laid  on  the  cross,  as  on 
an  altar,  where  the  holiness  and  justice  of 
an  offended  God  fully  satisfied  their  claims. 
See  his  blessed  body,  innocent  and  pure  as 
the  divine  soul  which  animated  it,  smitten, 
scourged,  and  bruised.  Behold  issuing  from 
his  wounded  side  that  precious  blood  which 
purchased  the  life  of  the  world.  Ah  !  Jihall 
I  deliberately  crucify  afresh  that  sacred  body 
which  my  sins  at  first  fastened  on  the  cross  ? 
Shall  I  tear  open  the  wounds  which  the  fury 
of  a  barbarous  multitude  inflicted  on  the 
sacred  body  of  the  Redeemer  of  men!  Oh! 
just  and  heavy  will  be  my  condemnation,  if, 
with  a  heart  unsubdued  and  impenitent,  I 
approach  the  altar  where  the  Saviour  is  exhi- 
bited, sustaining  the  inflictions  of  his  Father's 
wrath,  and  expiating  my  guilt. 

Tremble,  lukewarm  and  impenitent  soul, 
lest  the  symbols  of  the  body  and  blood  of  that 
Redeemer,  to  whose  astonishing  love  thou  art 
insensible,  instead  of  proving  the  pledges  of 
divine  favour,  seal  the  sentence  of  condemna- 
tion on  ihy  ingratitude  and  contempt.  Yes, 
the  altar  displays  only  terror  and  wrath  to  the 
impenitent.  But  to  the  humble  spirit,  who  is 
oppressed  by  the  anxious  apprehension  that 
she  does  not  yet  possess  that  lively  contrition, 
and  fervent  affection,  which  would  render  her 
worthy  to  partake  of  the  supper  of  the  Lord — 
to  her,  the  altar  conveys  the  consoling  accents 
of  mercy.     The  very  fears  that  oppress  thee. 


196  Simday  Monnng* 

timid  and  doubting  penitent,  are  the  strongest 
proofs  of  an  exquisite  sensibility  to  the  claims 
of  tliy  Saviour's  love ;  they  are  the  best  evi- 
dence that  thou  dost  possess  that  meek  and 
fcontrite  spirit,  which  it  is  the  Saviours  otlice 
and  delight  to  sooth  and  comfort. 

Behold  then,  my  soul,  in  the  sufferings  and 
death  of  Christ,  commemorated  on  the  altar, 
both  an  exhibition  of  the  indignation  of  God 
agairist  sin,  and  of  the  infinite  compassion  of 
the  Son  of  God,  in  offering  himself  up  an  all- 
sufficient  victim  to  turn  from  thee  the  wrath 
bf  heaven.  Let  this  view  excite  a  holy  soli- 
citude to  escape  the  penalties  due  to  thy  sins 
•—a  lively  and  ingenuous  sorrow  for  their 
baseness  and  enormity.  Humbled  at  the  feet 
t)f  the  Saviour,  confess,  lament,  and  renounce 
the  sins  which  occasioned  his  sufferings — 
lay  them  on  the  altar  of  his  love — they  shall 
be  blotted  out  for  ever  by  his  precious  blood, 
^Vh  ch  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world. 

Receive  the  symbols  of  the  Saviour's  suf- 
fering and  death  with  \\vc\y  gratitude. 

This  ordinance,  by  forcibly  displaying  the 
agonizing  sufferings  of  the  Saviour,  serves  to 
excite  the  most  lively  sense  of  his  infinite 
love.  Suilerings  and  agony  inconceivable 
the  Son  of  God  encountered,  to  redeem  the 
wretched  race  of  man.  From  the  manger  at 
Bethlehem  to  the  hill  of  Calvary,  poverty, 
contumely,  scorn,  persecution,  like  indignant 
waves,  pressed  upon  him,  till  at  length  his 
soul  sunk  under  the  floods  of  divine  wrath. 


I 


Sunday  Morning,  197 

Ah  !  we  shall  not  wonder  at  the  bitter  agonies 
which  overwhelmed  him,  when  we  consider 
the  tremendous  conflict  which  he  sustained 
with  the  king  of  terrors ;  who,  dreading  the 
near  dissolution  of  his  reign,  exerted  his 
most  vigorous  efforts  to  crush  the  almighty 
Conqueror,  who  threatened  to  bind  him  in 
chains.  Oh  !  what  pangs  convulsed  the  Sa- 
viour, when  on  the  cross  he  bowed  under  the 
load  of  human  guilt !  Forsaken  in  this  dark 
hour  by  the  smiles  of  his  Father's  love,  which 
had  hitherto  supported  him,  he  uttered  the 
piercing  cry,  "  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast 
thou  forsaken  me  1"  In  this  direful  moment 
dismay  seized  the  bosom  of  nature,  which 
heaved  in  dreadful  agitation,  as  if  in  unison 
with  the  groan  that  terminated  the  agonies 
of  the  Lord  of  life.  O  my  soul,  for  thee  the 
Redeemer  sunk  under  these  accumulated 
agonies.  Shall  not  the  symbols  of  his  suffer- 
ings excite  the  ardent  emotions  of  gratitude 
to  him  who  displayed  for  thee  this  infinite 
love]  By  this  compassionate  Saviour,  thou 
hast  been  redeemed  from  the  dominion  of 
sin  and  death — from  everlasting  misery  and 
wo.  By  the  sacrifice  of  his  death,  thou  art 
restored  to  the  favour  of  God,  and  to  the 
glorious  hope  of  the  bliss  of  heaven.  The 
inestimable  blessings  which  he  purchased  for 
thee,  thou  art  called  to  acknowledge  in  the 
afiecting  rite  which  he  instituted,  when  the 
painful  death  awaited  him,  that  was  to  con- 
summate his  Bufferings.     Oh !  let  the  tears 

R3 


198  Sunday  Morning, 

of  devout  gratitude  be  shed  over  the  emblems 
of  thy  Saviours  dying  love. 

Offer  to  thy  blessed  Redeemer,  at  the  altar, 
TOWS  of  ardent  devotion  to  his  service. 

Redeeming  thee,  O  my  soul,  by  the  sacrifice 
of  his  cross,  from  the  ignominious  bondage 
of  sin  and  Satan,  from  the  curse  of  eternal 
death  ;  and  purchasing  for  thee  the  inestima- 
ble blessings  of  pardon,  peace,  and  everlast- 
ing life,  he  establishes  a  supreme  claim  to 
thy  homage,  thy  love,  and  obedience.  He 
becomes  thy  rightful  Sovereign,  Lord,  and 
Master.  He  can  claim  thy  sincere  and  holy 
obedience  as  a  right ;  thou  art  bound  to  ren- 
der it  to  him  as  a  just  debt  of  gratitude  and 
love.  By  ardent  devotion  to  his  service  ;  by 
generous,  tender,  and  active  love  to  mankind, 
whom  he  died  to  redeem ;  thou  must  mani- 
fest thy  sensibility  to  his  infinite  compassion, 
and  discharge  the  obligations  by  which  thou 
art  bound  to  him.  No  period  can  be  more 
proper  to  offer  to  the  Saviour  the  vows  of 
love  and  duty  than  the  period  when  thou  art 
commemorating  the  infinite  sacrifice  of  his 
precious  death,  which  was  the  price  of  thy 
redemption.  Consider  the  state  of  guilt,  of 
condemnation,  and  misery,  to  which  sin  had 
reduced  thee.  Contemplate  the  exalted  bless- 
ings of  that  spiritual  redemption  which  the 
Saviour  wrought  for  thee.  The  pangs  of 
guilt  he  hath  exchanged  for  the  comforts  of 
a  good  conscience  ;  the  apprehensions  of 
the  wrath  of  God,  for  the  joys  of  ihe  divine 


Sunday  Morning.  199. 

favour ;  the  curse  of  a  mortal  and  perishing 
body,  for  a  body  incorruptible  and  glorious; 
the  sorrows  and  trials  of  this  mortal  life,  for 
the  bliss  and  glories  of  an  immortal  existence. 
The  almighty  grace  and  love  which  achieved 
this  glorious  redemption,  and  which  still  as- 
sure it  to  the  humble  and  penitent,  are  set 
forth  in  the  commemorative  sacrifice  of  the 
eucharist.  Go  then,  my  soul,  to  the  festival 
which  celebrates  this  infinite  love  of  the 
Saviour,  adoring  his  infinite  compassion ; 
triumphing  in  the  glorious  victories  of  his 
grace;  rendering  to  him  who  bought  thee  by 
his  blood  the  vows  of  allegiance  and  duty. 
Let  the  precious  symbols  of  the  altar,  the 
lively  memorials  of  the  victorious  love  of  the 
Saviour,  impress  upon  thee  his  claims  to  thy 
sincere  and  holy  obedience.  Over  the  em* 
blems  of  his  body  and  blood,  oflfered  for  thy 
redemption,  seal  the  grateful  vows  of  duty, 
which  shall  hind  thee  for  ever  to  thy  Lord. 
Almighty  Redeemer,  purchased  by  thy  blood, 
to  thee  1  wholly  surrender  myself.  All  the 
powers  of  my  soul,  all  its  desires  and  hopes, 
shall  be  engaged  in  thy  service,  and  centre 
in  thy  love.  Ah  !  shall  I  be  reluctant  in  the 
service  of  a  Master,  with  whom  I  am  con- 
nected by  the  most  endearing  tiesl  Shall  I 
murmur  at  the  sacrifices  to  which  that  Re- 
deemer calls  me,  who,  in  effectincr  my  re- 
demption, was  deterred  by  no  difficulties,  and 
shrunk  fr<jm  no  pains !  No,  my  Saviour,  the 
constrainmg  power  of  thy  love  shall  render 


200  Sunday  Morning, 

easy  to  me  all  thy  commands,  and  even  endear 
to  me  the  self-denial  and  ignominy  of  thy 
cross.  Receiving  the  symbol  of  thy  crucified 
body,  the  glorious  pledge  of  my  redemption, 
I  will  vow  thee  eternal  allegiance.  Receiving 
the  symbol  of  thy  precious  blood,  the  divine 
fountain  of  life  and  bliss,  I  will  devote  myself 
to  thee,  O  my  Saviour,  who  knowest  the 
weakness  of  my  heart,  and  its  proneness  to 
forget  thee;  strengthen  me  to  perform  the 
resolutions  by  which  I  now  enlist  under  thy 
banner,  and  attach  myself  to  thy  service. 

Advance  to  the  altar,  relying  supremely  on 
the  merits  and  grace  of  that  Saviour  whose 
all-sufficient  sacrifice  for  sin  thou  art  to  com- 
memorate. 

There  is  no  other  name,  but  the  name  of 
Jesus,  whereby  the  perishing  race  of  man  can 
be  saved.  His  infinite  sacrifice,  the  meritori- 
ous propitiation  for  sin,  is  commemorated  in 
the  holy  eucharist,  where  he  is  set  forth  as  the 
all-sufficient  Saviour  of  his  people.  To  set  up 
any  claim  of  forgiveness  in  opposition  to  the 
all-sufficient  atonement  which  he  made  ;  to 
rely  for  acceptance  at  tlie  throne  of  God  on 
our  own  merits,  when  he  offers  his  all-perfect 
righteousness  to  sanctify  and  save  us — would 
be  to  derogate  from  the  infinite  efficacy  of 
his  precious  blood,  and  to  dishonour  that  all- 
perfect  righteousness,  which  alone  can  answer 
the  claims  of  divine  holiness.  Ah  !  when  I 
contemplate  the  terrors  which  issue  from  the 
throne  of  my  offended  Judge,  I  bless  thee,  O 


Sunday  Morning,  201 

uiy  Saviour,  that  I  can  flee  for  refage  to  thy 
protecting  bosom — 1  bless  thee,  that,  in  the 
holy  sacrament  of  thy  love,  thou  dost  apply 
to  me  the  saving  merits  of  thy  body,  given 
for  my  sins  ;  and  dost  sprinkle  my  guilty  soul 
with  the  precious  blood  that  was  shed  for  my 
redemption. 

Go  then,  O  my  soul,  to  the  altar  where  the 
emblems  of  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Saviour 
are  set  forth  as  the  pledges  of  mercy  and 
spiritual  life  ;  renouncing  every  dependence 
but  the  merits  and  grace  of  thy  Redeemer. 
Unworthy  so  much  as  to  gather  up  the  crumbs 
under  his  table,  go,  and  derive  pardon,  com- 
fort, strength,  and  salvation,  at  the  banquet  of 
his  precious  body  and  blood.  Go — earnestly 
desiring  his  mercy,  and  adoring  him  as  thy 
all-sufficient  :Saviour  ;  and  he  will  confer  on 
thee  the  everlasting  treasures  of  his  love. 
However  great  the  attainments  which  through 
his  grace  thou  hast  made  in  virtue,  rely  not 
on  them  as  the  pledges  of  thy  peace  with 
heaven,  when  thou  dost  behold  the  all-suffi- 
cient sacrifice  of  his  cross.  In  the  blood  of 
Jesus,  set  forth  in  this  holy  sacrament,  thou 
wilt  find  the  only  expiation  of  thy  guilt ;  from 
the  fountain  of  grace  there  opened,  are  spi- 
ritual life  and  consolation  dispensed.  Seated 
on  the  altar,  as  an  almighty  and  compassionate 
Saviour,  he  presents  to  the  faithful,  through 
his  authorized  Tninisters,  the  symbols  of  his 
body  and  blood  given  and  shed  for  them. 
Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body,  which  was  given 


202  Sunday  Mornings 

for  you — let  it  be  the  pledge  of  your  salva- 
tion, of  your  vital  union  with  me,  your  Re- 
deemer. Drink — this  is  my  blood,  which  was 
shed  for  you — let  it  be  the  fountain  of  pardon, 
of  comfort,  of  everlasting  joys.  Wonder,  O 
my  soul,  at  the  riches  of  the  Saviour's  mercy! 
Wonder,  O  my  soul,  at  the  fulness  of  his 
grace !  Go,  ye  faithful,  to  the  altar,  where 
Jesus  is  waiting  to  receive  you,  triumphing  in 
his  mercy,  his  power,  and  his  love.  Wounded 
with  a  sense  of  guilt,  go,  and  receive  the  bahn 
of  divine  mercy,  with  which  the  Saviour  pa- 
cifies the  awakened  conscience.  Labouring 
under  the  thraldom  of  sinful  passions,  go,  and 
receive  grace  to  overcome  their  dominion. 
Desponding  and  sorrowing  under  the  trials 
of  your  pilgrimage,  go,  and  receive  from  your 
Saviour  celestial  comfort.  Humble,  weak, 
and  perishing,  go,  and  receive  strength,  sup- 
port, everlasting  life — go,  and  embrace  by 
faith  that  blessed  Redeemer  who  hath  pro- 
mised to  visit  his  people  with  his  salvation, 
to  dwell  with  them  as  their  guide,  their  com- 
forter, their  everlasting  portion  and  reward. 
Yes,  my  Saviour,  encouraged  by  the  soli- 
citations of  thy  love,  I  will  go  to  thy  altar, 
and  commemorate  with  the  faithful  the  riches 
of  thy  mercy  ;  with  them  implore  the  mani- 
festations of  thy  grace.  When  I  receive  the 
sacred  emblems  of  thy  body  and  blood,  O  do 
thou  manifest  thyself  to  my  soul.  Come,  and 
reign  in  me  for  ever,  my  Saviour,  my  Lord^ 
my  Almighty  King. 


Sunday  Morning.  205 

THE  PRAYER. 

Blessed  Jesus,  who  hast  given  thyself  to  be 
the  life  of  the  world ;  and  hast  graciously  instituted 
the  sacrament  of  thy  holy  supper,  to  be  a  lively 
memorial  of  thy  infinite  love,  and  pledge  of  thy 
grace  and  mercy ;  behold  me,  thy  unworthy  ser- 
vant, waiting  upon  thee  for  pardon,  for  strength, 
and  salvation — Lead  me,  O  my  Saviour,  to  thy 
altar,  and  there  display  thyself  to  my  soul,  in  the 
glorious  fulness  of  thy  mercy  and  power. 

"  I  do  not  presume  to  come  to  this  thy  table,  O 
Lord,  trusting  in  my  own  righteousness,  but  in 
thy  manifold  and  great  mercies."  Sin  has  defiled 
my  soul ;  has  laden  with  guilt  my  conscience ;  has 
rendered  me  utterly  unworthy  of  thy  favour ;  has 
exposed  me  to  thy  just  c.nd  everlasting  wrath. 
Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  Lord,  that  in  thee  there  is 
mercy  and  plenteous  redemption.  Humbly  con- 
fessing my  unworthiness  and  guilt,  and  casting  my- 
self on  thy  infinite  compassion,  O  do  thou  convey 
to  me,  in  thy  holy  supper,  the  forgiveness  of  my 
sins,  my  title  to  thy  love  and  everlasting  favour. 
To  thy  service  I  desire  to  devote  myself — to  thee, 

0  my  God,  I  vow  steadfast  obedience  and  horn* 
;ige.  O  accept  me  at  thy  holy  table  as  thy  devoted 
servant  and  subject.  Seal  to  my  soul  the  blessings 
of  the  everlasting  covenant.     Thee,  O  my  Saviour, 

1  adore  as  my  Lord  and  my  God.  To  thy  celestial 
instructions  I  will  evermore  hearken;  to  thy  all- 
sufficient  atonement  I  will  evermore  flee  ;  to  the 
sceptre  of  thy  grace  I  will  evermore  willingly  bow. 
Receive  and  acknowledge  me,  blessed  Jesus,  at  thy 
holy  table,  among  the  number  of  thy  redeemed 
people.  I  bless  thee  for  the  infinite  love  which 
jhou  hast  displayed  in  my  redemption — for  the  an- 


204  Sunday  Morning, 

utterable  sufferings  and  agonizing  death  which 
were  the  price  of  my  ransom  from  guilt  and  con- 
demnation. Glory  be  to  thee,  O  thou  Lamb  of 
God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world.  May 
my  grateful  sense  of  thy  infinite  compassion  be 
manifested  by  sincere  devotion  to  thy  commands; 
by  lively  and  active  charity  to  all  mankind,  for 
whom  thou  didst  shed  thy  blood.  Thus  confess- 
ing my  sins  ;  steadfastly  purposing  to  lead  a  new 
life ;  relying  supremely  on  thy  merits  and  grace ; 
thankfully  celebrating  thy  meritorious  sufferings 
and  death  ;  and  cherishing  the  sentiments  of  lively 
and  ardent  love — may  I  approach  thy  holy  altar, 
and  experience  the  quickening  efficacy  of  thy  body 
and  blood.  May  they  shed  through  my  soul  their 
consoling,  renovating,  and  strengthening  power, 
and  nourish  me  to  everlasting  life.  May  these 
symbols  of  thy  love  afford  my  soul  a  rich  foretaste 
of  the  exalted  bliss  which  the  fruition  of  thy  glo- 
rious presence  will  afford. 

O  most  gracious  God,  measure  thy  blessings  to 
me,  not  by  my  deserts,  but  by  thy  infinite  mercies. 
Shed  now  the  full  power  of  thy  Holy  Spirit  through 
my  heart,  that  all  my  affections  and  desires  may  be 
in  lively  exercise  when  I  approach  thy  holy  altar. 
There  may  I  enjoy  the  manifestations  of  thy  mercy 
— there  may  I  experience  that  thou  art  infinitely 
gracious — that  truly  blessed  are  they  who  put  their 
trust  in  thee.  And  oh!  may  the  exalted  joys  of 
thy  love,  shed  through  my  soul  at  thy  holy  table, 
awaken  my  ardent  desires  for  the  glorious  consum- 
mation of  bliss  in  thy  heavenly  kingdom,  where 
there  is  fulness  of  joy ;  where  there  are  pleasures 
for  evermore.  Even  so,  O  my  God,  for  the  sake 
of  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord  ?nd  Redeemer.     Amen, 


205 


THE  ORDER  FOR  THL 

ADMINISTRATION  OF  THE  LORD'S  SUPPER, 

OB 

HOLY  COMMUXIOX. 


r^  The  excellent  and  affecting;  office  for  the  Holy  Communion,  prescrib- 
ed by  the  Church,  is  the  best  guide  to  his  devotions  at  the  altar  that 
the  coruinnnicant  can  possibly  have,  and  renders  almost  unnecfssarj- 
all  other  nid.  It  should  be  the  business  of  the  corainuuicant  seriously 
to  attend  to  this  service,  and  hesirtily  and  sincerely  to  join  in  it.  As 
he  goes  up  towards  the  chancel,  let  him  secretly  use  the  following 
ejaculations: 

In  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies,  O  Lord,  do  I  now 
approach  thine  ahar. 

I  will  pay  thee  my  vows  now  in  the  presence  of  all 
thy  people. 

Thou  art  my  God,  and  i  will  bless  thee  ;  thou  art 
my  God,  and  I  will  exalt  thee. 

God  is  the  Lord,  by  whom  we  receive  light;  bind 
the  sacrifice  with  cords,  even  to  the  horns  of  the  altar. 

%  When  the  minister  reads  the  sentences  of  the  OfFertorv,  let  the  com- 
municant offer  up  after  each  sentence,  the  short  ejaculation  annexed.! 

IF  When  there  is  a  communion,  the  minister  shall  return  to  the  Lord's 
table,  and  begin  the  Offertory,  saying  one  or  more  of  these  sentences 
following,  as  he  thinkeih  most  convenient. 

Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may 
see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  )our  Father  which 
is  in  heaven.     St,  Matt,  v.  16. 

[O  Almighty  God,  give  me  grace  to  honour 
thee  by  a  life  of  hoKness  and  active  charity  ;  and 
may  those  who  are  the  objects  of  my  beneficence, 
render  their  {^raises  to  thee,  the  gracious  Father 
and  Benefactor  of  mankind.] 

S 


20-6  The  Administration  of 

Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon  earth, 
where  moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves 
break  through  and  steal  :  But  lay  up  for  yourselves 
treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth 
corrupt,  and  where  thieves  do  not  break  through  nor 
steal.     Si.  Matt,  vi.  19,  20. 

[Free  my  soul,  O  God,  from  the  inordinate 
love  of  riches ;  and  dispose  me  earnestly  to  seek 
the  satisfying  treasures  of  thy  heavenly  kingdom.] 

Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you, 
even  so  do  to  them :  For  this  is  the  law  and  the  pro- 
phets.    St,  Matt.  vii.  12. 

[Give  me  grace,  O  God,  ever  sacredly  to  ob- 
serve this  rule  of  eternal  justice.] 

Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord,  Lord, 
shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  but  he  that 
doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven.  Sf. 
Matt.  vii.  21. 

[Grant,  O  God,  that  I  may  never  build  my  hope 
of  salvation  upon  an  outward  profession  only,  with- 
out a  life  of  holiness  cmd  virtue, — May  my  faith  in 
thy  name  produce  the  fruit  of  good  living.] 

Zaccheus  stood  forth,  and  said  unto  the  Lord,  Be- 
hold, Lord,  the  half  of  my  goods  I  give  to  the  poor; 
and  if  1  have  done  any  wrong  to  any  man,  I  restore 
four- fold.     St.  Lukt  xix.  8. 

[If  thou,  O  Lord,  hast  given  me  ability,  give 
me  a  disposition  also  to  be  both  just  and  charitable, 
that  thou  ma}  est  say  to  me,  as  thou  didst  to  this 
publican,  Salvation  is  come  to  thy  house,'] 

Who  goeth  a  warfare  at  any  time  at  his  own  cost  ? 
Who  planteth  a  vineyard,  anri  eateth  not  of  the  fruit 
thereof?  or  who  fecdeth  a  floi  k,  and  eateth  not  of  the 
milk  of  the  flock?     1  Cor.  ix.  7. 


the  Holy  Communion,  207 

[O  God,  may  I  cheerfully  and  readily  give  a 
portion  of  my  worldly  substance  to  the  support  of 
the  servants  of  thy  sanctuary,  who  labour  in  spi- 
ritual things.] 

If  we  have  sown  unto  you  spiritual  things,  is  it  a 
great  matter  if  we  shall  reap  your  worldly  things  ? 
1  Cor,  ix.  II. 

[May  I  evermore  endeavour,  by  every  mean  in 
my  power,  to  promote  the  temporal  comfort  and 
hjqjpiness  of  those  who  devote  their  time  and  their 
talents  to  ministering  to  my  spiritual  necessities.] 

Do  ye  not  know,  that  they  who  minister  about  holy 
things,  live  of  the  sacrifice;  and  they  who  wait  at  the 
altar,  are  partakers  with  the  altar  ?  Even  so  hath 
the  Lord  also  ordained,  that  they  who  preach  the 
Gospel,  should  live  of  the  Gospel.      1  Cor,  ix.  13,  14, 

[Since  thou,  O  Lord,  hast  thus  ordained — far 
be  it  from  me  to  withhold  from  thy  ministers  the 
maintenance  which  is  their  just  and  inviolable 
due.] 

He  that  soweth  little,  shall  reap  little  ;  and  he  that 
soweth  plentequsly,  shall  reap  plenteouslj.  Let  every 
man  do  according  as  he  is  disposed  in  his  heart,  not 
grudgingly  or  of  necessity;  for  God  loveth  a  cheerful 
giver.     2  Cor.  ix,  6,  7, 

[May  I  ever  proportion  my  alms  to  my  ability, 
lest  I  provoke  God  to  proportion  his  blessings  to 
my  alms,] 

Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  word,  minister  unto 
him  that  teacheth  in  all  good  things.  Be  not  deceived 
God  is  not  mocked  :  For  whatsoever  a  man  soweth, 
that  shall  he  reap,     GaL  vi.  6,  7. 

[There  is  no  return,  O  God,  which  we  can 
make  to  thy  ministers,  equal  to  the  blessings  which 


208  The  Administration  of 

the}^  bestow  upon  us  :    For  they  minister  unto  us 
tht  means  of  grace  and  salvation,] 

While  we  have  lime,  let  us  do  good  unto  all  men  ; 
and  especially  unto  them  that  are  of  the  household  of 
faith.     Gal,  vi.  lO. 

[Blessed  be  God,  that  I  have  yet  time!  Lord, 
give  me  a  heart  to  do  good  before  the  night  comethy 
XV hen  no  man  can  'work.~\ 

Godliness  is  great  riches,  if  a  man  be  content  with 
that  he  hath  :  For  we  brought  nothing  into  the  world, 
neither  may  we  carry  any  thing  out.      1  Tim.  vi.  6,  7. 

[Grant  me,  O  God,  2i pious  and  contented  mmdi ; 
and  for  the  rest — thy  will  be  done!'] 

Charge  them  who  are  rich  in  this  world,  that  they 
be  ready  to  give,  and  glad  to  distribute  ;  laying  up  in 
store  for  themselves  a  good  foundation  against  the 
time  to  come,  that  they  may  attain  eternal  life.  1 
Tim.  vi.  17,  18,  ly. 

[If  thou  hast  given  n;e  riches,  O  God,  grant 
me  grace  to  employ  them  in  works  of  beneficence 
and  mercy,  that  thus  they  may  be  instrumental  in 
advancing  my  eternal  felicity.] 

God  is  not  unrighteous,  that  he  will  forget  your 
works,  and  labour  ihat  proceedeth  of  love;  which 
love  ye  have  showed  for  his  name's  sake,  who  have 
ministered  unto  the  saints,  and  yet  do  minister.  Htb, 
vi.  10. 

[O  blessed  Lord,  how  great  is  thy  goodness ! 
All  that  I  have  is  thine ;  and  yet  thou  dost  conde- 
scend to  receive  every  act  of  charity  to  thy  saints 
and  servants,  as  if  it  were  done  unto  thyself] 

To  do  good  and  to  distribute,  forget  not ;  for  with 
such  sacrifices  God  is  well  pleased,     Heb»  xiii.  16. 


the  Holy  Communion,  20& 

[May  our  prayers  and  our  alms  ascend  unto  thee, 
O  God  ;  and  do  thou  graciously  accept  them  for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake.] 

Whoso  hath  this  world's  good,  and  seeth  his  brother 
hav«  need,  and  shutteth  up  his  connpassion  from  him, 
how  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  him  ?  1  John  iii. 
J  7. 

[O  my  God  and  Saviour  !  may  I  ever  manifest 
my  love  and  gratitude  to  thee,  by  acts  of  benefi- 
cence and  kindness  to  my  fellow  men.] 

Give  alms  of  thy  goods,  and  never  turn  thy  face 
from  any  poor  man  ;  and  then  the  face  of  the  Lord 
shall  not  be  turned  away  from  thee.      Tob,  iv.  7. 

[Grant  me,  O  Lord,  a  lively  compassion  for 
the  miseries  of  others,  that  thou  mayest  finally  have 
compassion  on  me.] 

Be  merciful  after  thy  power.  If  thou  hast  much, 
give  plenteously.  If  thou  hast  little,  do  thy  diligence 
gladly  to  give  of  that  little  :  for  so  gatherest  thou  thy- 
self a  good  reward,  in  the  day  of  necessity.  Tob,  iv. 
C,  9. 

[I  thank  thee,  O  God,  that  thou  dost  not  judge 
or  reward  according  to  the  greatness  of  the  gift, 
but  according  to  the  disposition  and  ability  of  the 
giver.  And  after  all,  thy  rewards  infinitely  exceed 
the  merits  of  our  most  exahed  acts  of  virtue.] 

He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth  to  the 
Lord  :  and  look,  what  he  layelh  out,  it  shall  be  paid 
him  again.     Prov,  xix.  17. 

[Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  God,  that  thou  dost 
vouchsafe  to  regard  my  beneficence  to  the  poor  as 
a  favour  rendered  unto  thyself;  and  dost  graciously 
promise  to  repay  me  from  the  exhaustless  treasure 
of  thine  infinite  mercies.] 

S2 


310  The  Administration  of 

Blessed  be  the  man  that  provideth  for  the  sick  and 
neodj  :  the  Lord  shall  deliver  him  in  the  time  of 
trouble.     Psalm  xli.  1. 

[O  Lord,  may  I  carefully  avoid  all  idle  and  vain 
expenses,  that  1  may  ihus  be  always  able  to  admin- 
ister to  the  consolation  and  support  of  the  stck  and 
needy.  May  a  principle  of  di\'ine  charity  and  love 
evermore  animate  and  inspire  me,  that  thus,  in  time 
of  trouble,  in  the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the  day  of 
judgment,  I  may  with  confidence  flee  to  thee  as 
my  refuge  and  my  portion. 

%  Ejaculation  to  be  used  at  offering  our  alms. 

O  Lord,  from  the  bounties  of  thy  Providence 
Avith  which  thou  hast  crowned  my  lot,  I  cheerfully 
and  humbly  devote  a  portion  to  the  service  of  thy 
altar — to  the  relief  and  comfort  of  the  distressed 
members  of  Christ's  mystical  body.  To  thee 
be  all  the  glor\'  and  all  the  praise,  through  Jesus 
Christ.     Ameru'] 

•1  Whilst  these  sentences  are  in  reading,  the  deacons,  church-wardens,  or 
other  fit  p  sons  appointed  rbr  that  purpose,  shall  receive  the  alms  for 
the  poor,  and  oiher  devotions  of  the  people,  in  a  decent  bason,  to  be 
provided  bv  the  parish  for  that  purpose;  and  reverently  bring  it  tothe 
priest,  who  shall  humbly  present  and  place  it  upon  the  hoi}  table. 

■^•j  Before  the  prayer  for  Christ's  church  militant,  if  an  opportunity  offer, 
use  the  following  pr.'jer: 

Saviour  of  the  world !  I  come  to  thy  altar  to 
commemorate  thy  dying  love;  to  plead  the  merits 
of  thy  cross  and  passion  ;  to  testit)  my  unshaken 
faith  in  thee ;  my  communion  with  thy  holy  church ; 
my  charity  with  all  mankind.  Blessed  Jesus ! 
who  hast  called  me  to  the  participation  of  the  sa- 
cred mysteries  of  thy  altar,  guide  and  aid  me  in 
my  de\otions  ;  quicken  my  repentance  ;  animate 
my  faich  and  gratitude;  fix  my  contemplations  on 
the  eternal  glories  of  thy  mercy  and  grace.     Nour- 


the  Holy  Communion.  211 

ished  and  strengthened  by  the  sacred  symbols  of 
thy  body  and  blood,  may  both  my  soul  and  body 
be  prepared  tor  that  everlasting  life  which  thou  hast 
purchased  by  thy  merits ;  and  which  thou  dost 
bestow  on  all  those  who  believe  in  thy  saving 
name,  and  rely  alone  on  thy  mercy  and  power. 
Even  so,  blessed  Jesus.     Amen.'^ 

%  And  the  priest  shall  then  place  upon  the  table  so  much  bread  and  wine 
as  he  shall  think  sufficient.     After  which  done,  he  shall  saj, 

Let  us  pray  for  the  whole  state  of  Christ's  church 
militant. 

Almighty  and  everhving  God,  who,  by  thy  holy 
apostle,  hast  taught  us  to  make  pra}'ers  and  supplica- 
tions, and  to  give  thanks  for  all  men;  we  humbly  be- 
seech thee  most  inejxifull)  [_*to  accept  our  alms  und 
oblations^  und]  to  receive  these  our  pra}  ers,  whu  h  we 
otfer  unto  i\\)  Divine  Majesty;  beseeching  thee  to 
inspire  continually  the  universal  church  with  the  8pirit 
of  truth,  unit),  and  concord  ;  and  grant  that  all  those 
who  do  confess  thy  holy  name,  may  agree  in  the  truth 
of  thy  holy  word,  and  live  in  unity  and  godly  love.' 
We  beseech  thee  also,  so  to  direct  and  dispose  the 
hearts  of  all  Christian  rulers,  that  they  may  truly  and 
impartially  administer  justice  to  the  punishment  of 
wickedness  and  vice,  and  to  the  maintenance  of  thy 
true  religion  and  virtue.  Give  grace,  O  heavenly 
Father,  to  all  bishops  and  other  ministers,  that  ihey 
may,  both  b)  their  life  and  doctrine,  set  forth  thy  true 
and  lively  word,  and  rightly  and  duly  administer  thy 
holy  sacraments.  And  to  all  thy  people  give  thy  hea- 
venly grace  ;  and  especially  to  this  congiegation  here 
present;  that  with  meek  heart,  and  due  reverence, 
they  may  hear  and  receive  th\  holy  word  ;  truly 
serving  thee  in  holiness  and  righteousness  all  the  days 
of  their  life.     And  we  most  humbly  beseech  ihee,  of 

•  If  there  be  no  alms  or  oblations,  then  shall  the  words  {to  accept  our 
atmt  and  oblations^  and)  be  left  unsaid. 


212  The  Administration  of 

thy  goodness,  O  Lord,  to  comfort  and  succour  all  those 
who,  in  this  transitory  hfe,  are  in  trouble,  sorrow, 
need,  sickness,  or  any  other  adversity.  And  we  also 
bless  thy  holy  name,  for  all  thy  servants  departed  this 
life  in  thy  faith  and  fear  ;  beseeching  thee  to  give  us 
grace  so  to  follow  their  good  examples,  that  with 
them  we  may  be  partakers  of  thy  heavenly  kingdom  : 
Grant  this,  O  Father,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  our 
only  Mediator  and  Advocate.     Amen, 

^  At  the  time  of  the  celebration  of  the  communion,  the  priest  shall  say 
this  exhortation. 

\^%  During  this  exhortation,  the  communicants  should  stand.   Afterwards, 
at  th»'  confession,  they  are  required  to  kneel.  J 

Dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  ve  who  mind  to  come 
to  the  holy  communion  of  the  body  and  blood  of  our 
Saviour  Christ,  must  consider  how  St.  Paul  exhorteth 
all  persons  diligently  to  try  and  examine  themselves, 
before  they  presume  to  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink 
of  that  cup.  For  as  the  benefit  is  great,  if  with  a  true 
penitent  heart  and  lively  failh,  we  receive  that  holy 
sacrament;  so  is  the  danger  ereat,  if  we  receive  the 
same  unworthily.  Judge,  therefore,  yourselves,  bre- 
thren, that  ve  be  not  judged  of  the  Lord  ;  repent  ye 
truly  for  your  sins  past ;  have  a  lively  and  steadfast 
faith  in  Christ  our  Saviour  ;  amend  your  lives,  and  be 
in  perfect  charity  with  ail  men  :  so  shall  ye  be  meet 
partakers  of  those  holy  mysteries.  And  above  all 
things,  ye  must  give  most  humble  and  hearty  thanks 
to  God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  for 
the  redemption  of  the  world  by  the  death  and  passion 
of  our  Saviour  Christ,  both  God  and  man;  who  did 
humble  hfmself  even  to  the  death  upon  the  cross,  for 
us  miserable  sinners,  who  lay  in  darkness  and  the 
shadow  of  death;  that  he  might  make  us  the  children 
of  God,  and  exalt  us  to  everlasting  life.  And  to  the 
end  that  we  should  always  remember  the  exceeding 
great  love  of  our  Master  and  only  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  thus  dying  for  us,  and  the  ianuinerable  benefits 


the  Holy  Communioiu  2 IS 

which  by  his  precious  blood-shedding  he  hath  obtained 
for  us,  he  hath  instituted  and  ordanjed  holy  mysteries, 
as  pledges  of  his  love,  and  (or  a  continjal  remem- 
brance of  his  dealh,  to  our  great  and  endless  comlort. 
To  him,  therefore,  with  the  Father,  and  the  Holy- 
Ghost,  let  us  give  (as  we  are  most  bounden)  continual 
thanks  ;  submitting  ourselves  wholly  to  his  ho^y  will, 
and  pleasure,  and  studying  to  serve  him  in  true  holi- 
ness and  righteousness,  all  the  days  of  our  life.  Amen, 

^  Then  shall  the  priest  say  to  those  who  come  to  i^ceive   the  holy 
communion, 

Ye  who  do  truly  ajid  earnestly  repent  you  of  your 
sins,  and  are  in  love  and  charity  with  your  neighbours, 
and  intend  to  lead  a  new  life,  following  the  command- 
ments of  God,  and  walking  from  henceforth  in  his  holy 
ways^  draw  near  with  faith,  and  take  this  holy  sacra- 
ment to  your  comfort ;  and  make  your  humble  con- 
fession to  Almighty  God,  devoutly  kneeling. 

%  Then  shall  this  general  confession  be  made  by  the  priest  and  all  thos« 
who  are  mindnd  to  receive  the  holy  communion,  humbly  kneeling: 

Almighty  God,  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
Maker  of  all  things,  Judge  of  all  men  ;  we  acknow- 
ledge and  bewail  our  manifold  sins  and  wickedness, 
which  we  from  time  to  time  most  grievously  hav© 
committed,  by  thought,  word,  and  deed,  against  thy 
divine  Majesty;  provoking  most  justly  thy  wrath  and 
indignation  against  us.  We  do  earnestly  repent,  and 
are  heartily  sorry  tor  these  our  misdoings  ;  the  re- 
membrance of  them  is  grievous  unto  us  ;  the  burden 
of  them  is  intolerable.  Have  mercy  upon  us,  have 
mercy  upon  us,  most  merciful  Father;  for  thy  Son 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  forgive  us  all  that  is 
past ;  and  grant,  that  we  may  ever  hereafter  serve 
and  please  thee  in  newness  of  life,  to  the  honour  and 
glory  of  thy  name,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 

^  Then  shall  the  priest  (the  bishop,  if  he  be  present,)  stand  up,  an<' 
turning  to  the  people,  sa), 


214  The  Administration  of 

Almighty  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  who  of  his 
great  mercy  hath  promised  forgiveness  of  sins  to  all 
those  who  with  hearty  repentance  and  true  faith  turn 
unto  him,  have  mercy  upon  you  ;  pardon  and  dehver 
you  from  all  your  sins;  confirm  and  strengthen  you 
in  all  goodness;  and  bring  you  to  everlasting  life, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen, 

{_^  After  the  absolution  is  pronouneed,  to  which  you  should  attentively 
and  devoutly  listen,  as  the  declaration  of  God  through  his  authorized 
servant,  use  the  following  short  ejaculation  : 

May  this  absolution,  O  God,  seal  to  my  soul 
the  forgiveness  of  my  sins.] 

^  Then  shall  the  priest  say, 

Hear  what  comfortable  words  our  Saviour  Christ 
saith  unto  all  who  truly  turn  to  him. 

[%  After  each  of  the  following  sentences  use  the  short  ejaculations 
aunexed.3 

Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  travel  and  are  heavy 
laden,  and  I  will  refresh  you.     St,  Matt,  xi.  28. 

[Make  me,  O  Jesus,  truly  sensible  of  my  guilt 
and  unvvorthiness  ;  that  oppressed  with  the  bur- 
den of  my  sins,  I  may  go  to  thee  for  rest  and  de- 
liverance.] 

So  God  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only- 
begotten  Son,  to  the  end  that  all  that  believe  in  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.  St,  John 
iii.  16. 

£0  Lord,  I  believe — increase  and  establish  my 
faith ;  that,  ever  loving  and  serving  thee,  I  may 
finally,  through  thy  mercy,  be  made  partaker  of 
everlasting  glory.] 

Hear  also  what  St,  Paul  saith. 

This  is  a  true  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  men  to  be 
received,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners.     1  Tim.  i.  15. 


the  Holy  Communion,  215 

[I  bless  thee,  O  Jesus,  who,  moved  by  infinite 
compassion,  didst  come  into  the  world  to  save 
sinners.] 

Hear  also  what  Si*  John  saith. 

If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate  with  the  Fa- 
ther, Jesus  Christ  the  righteous  ;  and  he  is  the  propi- 
tiation for  our  sins.     I  John  ii.  1,  2. 

[O  blessed  Jesus,  by  thy  blood  and  merits,  by 
thy  powerful  intercession,  procure  my  pardon  and 
deliverance  from  the  guilt  and  condemnation  of 
sin.] 

^  After  which  the  priest  shall  proceed,  saying, 

Lift  up  your  hearts. 

Answer.  We  hft  them  up  unto  the  Lord. 
Priest,  Let  us  give  thanks  unto  our  Lord  God, 
Answer,  It  is  meet  and  right  so  to  do. 

^  Then  shall  the  priest  turn  to  the  Lorri's  table,  and  say, 

It  is  very  meet,  right,  and  our  bounden  duty,  that 
we  should  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  give  thanks 
unto  thee,  O  Lord,  [*Holy  Father,]  almighty,  ever- 
lasting God. 

^  Here  shall  follow  the  proper  preface,  according  to  the  time,  if  there 
he  any  specially  appointed  ;  or  else  immediately  shall  be  said  or  sung  by 
the  priest  and  people  : 

\_^  Here  the   communicants   should  rise  from  their  knees,  and   stand. 
Standing  is  the  proper  posture  for  tl>e  ascription  of  praise.] 

Therefore  with  angels  and  archangels,  and  with 
all  the  company  of  heaven,  we  laud  and  magnifv  thy 
glorious  name  ;  evermore  praising  thee,  and  sa\nig, 
Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  of  Hosts,  heaven  and 
earth  are  full  of  thy  glory  :  Glory  be  to  the^,  O  Lord 
Most  High.     Amen, 

•  These  words  \_H0ly  Father"]  must  he  omitted  on  Trinity  Sunday. 


216  The  Administration  of 

H  PROPER   PREFACES. 

^  L'pon  ChrJstmas.-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

Because  thou  did?«t  give  Jesus  Christ,  thine  only 
Son,  to  be  born  as  at  this  time  for  us  ;  who,  b)  the 
operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  was  made  very  man,  of 
the  substance  of  the  Virgin  Mary  his  mother;  and 
that  without  spot  of  sin,  to  make  us  clean  from  all  sin : 
Therefore  with  angels,  &;c. 

T  Upon  Easter-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

But  chiefly  are  we  bound  to  praise  thee  for  the 
glorious  resurrection  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our 
Jjord:  For  he  is  the  very  Paschal  Lamb,  which  was 
offeied  for  us,  and  hath  taken  away  the  sin  of  the 
world  ;  who  by  his  death  hath  destroyed  death,  and, 
by  his  riting  to  life  again,  halh  restored  to  us  everlast- 
ing life  •   Therefore  with  angels,  &c. 

'^\  Upon  Ascension -da},  and  seven  days  after. 

Through  th}  m<»st  dearly  beloved  Son  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord  ;  who,  after  his  most  glorious  resurrection, 
manifestly  appeared  to  all  his  apostles,  and  in  iheir 
sight  ascended  up  into  heaven,  to  prepare  a  plat  e  for 
us;  that  where  he  is,  thither  we  might  also  ascend, 
and  reign  with  him  in  glory  :  Therefore  with  angels, 
he* 

%  upon  Whit-Sunday,  and  sbc  days  after. 

Through  Jesu?  Christ  our  Lord  ;  according  to 
whose  n»ost  true  promise,  the  Holy  Ghost  came  down 
as  at  this  time  from  heaven,  with  a  sudden  great 
sound,  as  it  had  been  a  mighty  wind,  in  the  likeness 
of  fiery  tongues,  lighting  upon  the  apostles,  to  teach 
them,  aiul  to  lead  them  to  all  truth;  giving  them  both 
the  gift  of  divers  languages,  and  also  boldness  with 
fervent  zeal,  constantly  to  preach  the  Gospel  ujito  all 
nations  ;  whereby  we  have  been  brought  out  of  dark- 
ness and  error,  into  the.  clear  light  and  true  knowledge 
of  thee,  and  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ :  Therefore  with 
angels,  «Sz;c. 


ihe  Holy  Communion.  217 

^  Upon  the  Feast  of  Trinity  only,  may  be  said. 

Who  art  one  God,  one  Lord  ;  not  only  one  person, 
but  three  persons  in  one  substance  :  For  that  which 
we  believe  of  the  glory  of  the  Father,  the  same  we 
believe  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  without 
any  difference  or  inequality:  Therefore  with  angels, 
&c. 

f  Or  else  this  may  Le  said,  the  words  ^Holy  Father]  being  retained  in 
the  introductory  address. 

For  the  precious  death  and  merits  of  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  and  for  the  sending  to  us  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  the  Comforter ;  who  are  one  with  thee  in  th^ 
eternal  Godhead:  Therefore  with  angels,  &lq. 

1  Then  shall  the  priest,  kneeling  down  at  the  Lord's  table,  say,  in  the 
name  of  all  those  who  shall  receive  the  communion,  this  prayer  follow- 
ing: 

£T  In  this  most  affecling  and  solemn  form  of  humiliation,  the  communi- 
cants acknowledge,  through  the  minister,  their  great  unwni-ihlness,  and 
the  unmerited  mercy  of  God,  in  admitting  them  to  his  holy  table.  In 
this  act  of  humiliation,  every  communicant  should  secretly  jcjin  with 
iively  fervour  and  devotion,  kneeling.] 

We  do  not  presume  to  come  to  this  thy  table,  O 
merciful  Lord,  trusting  in  our  own  ritjhteousness,  but 
in  thy  manifold  and  great  mercies.  We  are  not  wor- 
thy so  much  as  to  gather  up  the  crumbs  under  thy 
table.  But  thou  art  the  same  Lord,  whose  property 
is  always  to  have  mercy  :  Grant  us  therefore,  gracious 
Lord,  so  to  eat  the  i!esh  of  thy  dear  Son  Jesus  Chribt, 
and  to  drink  his  blood,  that  our  sinful  bodies  may  be 
made  clean  by  his  body,  and  our  souls  washed  through 
his  most  precious  blood,  and  that  we  may  evermore 
dwell  in  him,  and  he  in  us.     Ameiu 

L^  The  prayer  of  conseGration  now  follows;  and  while  the  priest  is  en^ 
gaged  in  the  solemn  act  of  consecrating  the  bread  and  wine,  the  com- 
municant should  fix  his  devout  affections  on  his  Saviour,  w  hose  iilood  is 
an  all-sufficient  pi-opitialion  for  the  sins  of  the  worM.  When  the  Lread 
is  broke  •,  call  to  mind  the  grief  and  agony  of  him  ivho  ivas  lodiLiuied 
for  on-  trnns^ressions,  and  bruised  for  our  tniguities.  When  the 
tup  of'^^ine  is  blessed,  think  of  him  who,  under  the  weight  of  our  sins, 
^we:«t  great  drops  of  blood,  and  on  the  cross  made  his  soul  a7i  offering 
Jar  sin.  When  the  consecrated  bread  j^nd  wine  are  offered  to  God  as 
a  memorial  of  the  one  great  sacrifice  of  Chiist,  bless  the  Almighty 

T 


218  The  Administration  of 

Father  who  gave  his  Son  for  the  sins  of  offending  man,  and  who, 
through  Christ,  is  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself.  When  the 
power  of  Divine  Grace  is  invoked  on  the  holy  elements,  devoutly  adore 
and  bless  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Lord  and  Giver  of  Life,  who  applies  to 
the  soul  the  mercies  of  redemption.  And  let  the  surrender  which  you 
make  of  yourself  to  the  service  of  God,  your  Creator,  Redeemer,  and 
Sanctifier,  be  sincere,  ardent,  and  universal. J 

^  When  the  priest,  standing  before  the  table,  hath  go  ordered  the  bread 
and  wine,  that  he  may  with  the  more  readiness  and  decency  break 
the  bread  before  the  people,  and  take  the  cup  into  his  hand ;  he  shall 
say  the  prayer  of  consecration,  as  followeth: 

All  glory  be  to  thee,  Almighty  God,  our  heavenly 
Father,  for  that  thou,  of  thy  tender  mercy,  didst  give 
thine  only  Son  Jesus  Christ  to  suffer  death  upon  the 
cross  for  our  redemption  ;  who  made  there  (by  his 
one  oblation  of  himself  once  offered)  a  full,  perfect, 
and  sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation,  and  satisfaction,  for 
the  sins  of  the  whole  world;  and  did  institute,  and  in 
his  holy  Gospel  command  us  to  continue  a  perpetual 
memory  of  that  his  precious  death  and  sacrifice  until 
his  coming  again  :  For  in  the  night  in 
(a)  Here  the  Priest  which  hc  was    bctravcd   (aj  he    took 

is  to  take  the  Paten  ji  i*ii-,i         i 

into  his  hands.  bread  ;  and  when  he  had  given  thanks, 

(b)  And  here  to  break  ;h\  he  brake  it,  and  cave  it  to  hi.«  dis- 

the  bread  .  „^  ^    >•    \    .  i  •      • 

(c)  And  here  to  lay  ciDies,  saving,  J  akc.  eat,  (c)  this  js  my 

his  liands  upon  ail  the     y^ '    ,  i_  ■    i     •  /•  r^       ..i   ■ 

bread.  body.  which  IS  given  tor  you  ;  iJo  this 

in    remembrance    of  me.      Likewise, 

(d)  Here  he  is  to  take  after  supper  (d)  he  took  thecup;  and 

t}\e  cup  into  his  hand.  ^}^en  he  had  given  thanks,  he  ga\e  it 

to  them,  saying,  Drink  ye  all  of  this, 

(e)  And  here  he  ii    for    {<')    thlS  is    mV     Blood,  of   the    NcW 

lvt-^^v"sennvvS  Tebtamcut,  which  is  shed  for  you,  and 
be'coVsSed""' '°   for  many,   for  the  remission  of  sins; 

Do  this  as  oft  as  ye  shall  drink  it,  in 

remembrance  of  me. 


The  Oblation. 


Wherefore,  O  Lord  and  heavenly 
Father,  according  to  the  institution  of 
thy  dearly  beloved  Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
we,  thy  humble  servarits,  do  celebrate  and  make  here 
before  thy  divine  Majesty,  with  these  thy  holy  gift^, 


the  Holy  Commumotj.  219 

which  we  now  offer  unto  thee,  the  memorial  thy  Son 
hath  commanded  us  to  make  ;  having  in  remembrance 
his  blessed  passion  and  precious  death,  his  mighty 
resurrection  and  glorious  ascension  ;  rendering  unto 
thee  most  hearty  thanks,  for  the  innumerable  benefits 
procured  unto  us  by  the  same.     And  we    ^^  ^ 

».,  II,  ,,  /-.  •  r    ^      The  InTocation. 

most  humbly  beseech  thee,  O  merciiul 
Father,  to  hear  us ;  and,  of  thy  almighty  goodness, 
vouchsafe  to  bless  and  sanctify,  with  thy  Word  and 
Holy  Spirit,  these  thy  gifts  and  creatures  of  bread 
and  wine  ;  that  we,  receiving  them  according  to  thy 
Son  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ's  holy  institution,  in 
remembrance  of  his  death  and  passion,  may  be  par- 
takers of  his  most  blessed  body  and  blood.  And  we 
earnestly  desire  thy  fatherly  goodness,  mercifully  to 
accept  this  our  sacrifice  of  praise  and  thanksgiving ; 
most  humbly  beseeching  thee  to  grant,  that  by  the 
merits  and  death  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  through 
fjaith  in  his  blood,  we,  and  all  thy  whole  church,  may 
oblain  remission  of  our  sins,  and  all  other  benefits  of 
his  passion.  And  here  we  offer  and  present  unto  thee, 
O  Lord,  ourselves,  our  souls,  and  bodies,  to  be  a  rea- 
sonable, holy,  and  living  sacrifice  unto  thee  ;  humbly 
beseeching  thee,  that  we,  and  all  others  who  shall  be 
partakers  of  this  holy  communion,  may  worthily  re- 
ceive the  most  precious  body  and  blood  of  thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ,  be  filled  with  thy  grace  and  heavenly 
benediction,  and  made  one  body  with  him,  that  he  may 
dwell  in  them,  and  they  in  him.  And  although  we 
are  unworthy,  through  our  manifold  sins,  to  offer  unto 
thee  any  sacrifice ;  yet  we  beseech  thee  to  accept 
this  our  bounden  duty  and  service,  not  weighing  our 
merits,  but  pardoning  our  offences;  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord;  by  whom,  and  with  whom,  in  the 
unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  all  honour  and  glory  be  unto 
thee,  O  Father  Almighty,  world  without  end.   Amen, 

^  Here  shall  be  sung  a  hymn,  or  part  of  a  hymn,  from  the  selection  for 
the  Feasts  and  Fasts,  &c. 


220  The  Administration  of 

f  li  While  tlje  priest,  the  clergy,  and  others,  are  receiving  the  consecrat- 
ed elements,  the  communicant  should  be  engaged  in  devoutly  reading 
the  following  meditations. 

St.  Luke  XV.  2. — T^he  Pharisees  murmured,  sayings 
This  man  rectixeth  sinners  and  eateth  with  them. 

1  bless  thee,  O  my  Saviour,  that  thou  didst  not 
proudly  contemn  the  company  of  sinners.  I  con- 
fess that  I  am  indeed  an  unworthy  sinner.  O  re- 
ceive me,  as  a  guest  at  thy  table,  and  make  me 
partaker  of  the  blessings  of  thy  love. 

St.  John  vi.  58. — He  that  eateth  of  this  bread  shaU 
live  for  ever, 

O  Jesus,  who  hast  made  the  life  of  our  souls  to 
depend  on  the  consecrated  bread,  the  symbol  of 
ihy  life-giving  body,  may  I  never  render  myself 
unworthy  of  so  great  a  blessing,  or  deprive  myself 
of  it  through  my  own  wilful  negligence.  May 
this  sacred  bread  be  a  principle  of  immortal  life  to 
me,  uniting  me  to  thee  for  ever,  my  Saviour  and 

mv  Lord. 

« 

Exodus  xli.  23.  —  When  he  seeth  the  blood  of  the 
Paschal  Lamb  on  the  door^  he  zcill  not  suffer  the  de* 
itroyer  to  come  in  to  smite  you, 

O  Jesus,  the  true  Paschal  I/imb,  v;ho  by  thy 
precious  blood  hast  paid  the  debt  due  to  divine 
justice,  and  hast  delivered  us  from  the  power  of 
the  destroyer,  sprinkle  me  with  thy  precious  blood, 
that  I  may  be  rescued  from  the  condemning  sen- 
tence of  thy  justice. 

Galatians  iii.  13.— CAris/  hath  redeemed  us  from  the 
curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us  i  that  is — 
he  was  treated  as  one  under  the  curse  of  the  law.. 
Deut,  xxi.  23. 

Blessed  God  1  how  great  was  our  misery  f  How 


the  Holy  Commiinion.  221 

great  was  thy  tnerci/  !  The  death  of  thy  Son  only 
could  save  us  from  ruin,  and  him  thou  didst  wil- 
lingly give.  May  I  never  deceive  myself  with  the 
vain  hope,  that,  while  I  continue  in  sin,  thy  mercy 
will  spare  me ;  when  thou  didst  not  spare  thine 
own  Son,  who  put  himself  in  the  place  of  sinners  ! 
May  I  never  provoke,  by  transgression,  thy  justice! 
May  I  never  forget  thy  mercies,  and  the  infinite 
condescension  of  thy  blessed  Son,  who,  for  my  re- 
demption, humbled  himself  even  to  the  death  upon 
the  cross. 

1  John  ii.  25. — This  is  the  promise  that  he  hath  pro- 
mised us,  even  eternal  life. 

How  infinitely  gracious  is  our  God,  to  excite 
and  encourage  us  in  his  service  by  the  promise  of 
immortal  glory  and  bliss  !  Give  me  a  firm  faith 
in  thy  gracious  promises,  that  no  pleasures  may 
corrupt  my  heart,  no  difficulties  discourage  me 
from  serving  thee. 

1  Cor.  xi.  28. — Let  a  man  examine  himself ,  and  so 
let  him  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink  of  that  cup. 

That  I  am  invited  to  thy  holy  table,  is  not  be- 
cause I  am  -worthy,  but  because  thou,  O  God,  art 
infinitely  gracious  and  merciful, — Have  compassion 
on  my  infirmities  ;  accept  of  my  sincere  but  im- 
perfect resolutions.  I  acknowledge  my  unworthi- 
ness — I  place  all  my  hopes  of  acceptance  in  thy 
mercy  and  love,  through  Jesus  my  Redeemer — 
sincerely  do  I  resolve  to  lead  a  new  life — to  use 
all  diligence  to  secure  the  glorious  privileges  of  my 
Christian  vocation.  With  these  sacred  purposes, 
I  presume  to  advance,  O  Lord,  to  thy  altar ;  trust- 
ing to  thy  mercy  for  the  pardon  of  all  my  defects, 
and  to  thy^  powerful  grace  to  quicken  in  me  those 
T  2 


2'22  The  Administration  of 

holy  dispositions  which  will  make  me  an  acceptable 
guest  at  thy  holy  table. 

^  Immediately  before  going  up  to  the  altar,  use  the  following  prayers' 

O  gracious  and  merciful  God  !  Father,  Son,  and 
Holy  Ghost !  look  down  from  heaven,  the  throne 
of  thy  eternal  glory,  upon  me  thy  unworthy  servant, 
with  the  eyes  of  mercy  and  compassion.  O  Lord 
my  God,  1  disclaim  all  merit ;  I  renounce  all 
righteousness  of  my  own ;  and  I  fly  for  refuge,  for 
pardon,  and  sanctification,  to  the  righteousness  of 
Jesus,  thy  anointed.  For  thy  tender  mercies'  sake, 
for  the  sake  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  the  Son  of  thy 
love»  in  whom  thou  art  ever  well  pleased,  have 
mercy  upon  me;  receive  my  prayers;  pardon 
my  infirmities;  strengthen  my  weak  resolutions; 
guide  my  steps  to  thy  holy  altar,  and  there  feed 
me  with  the  meat  that  perisheth  not,  but  endureth 
to  everlasting  life.     Amen* 

T  Then  advancing  to  the  altar,  and  humbly  kneeling  down,  use  the  fol- 
lowing ejaculatory  prayer  before  recf  iving  the  consecrated  bread. 

O  my  Lord  and  my  God  !  may  I  receive  this 
sacred  symbol  of  thy  crucified  body  in  remem- 
brance of  the  sacrifice  of  thy  cross,  trusting  alone 
in  thy  infinite  merits.  By  the  power  of  thy 
grace  may  I  be  delivered  from  condemnation  and 
death. 

^  When  the  minister  repeats  the  words,  The  body  of  oxir  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  ivnich  -was given  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and  soul  unto 
everlasting  life — stal  this  affecting  petition  by  saying,  secretly  and 
fervently,  .Amen  ;  and  then  reverently  receive  the  consecrated  bread 
■with  the  light  hand.")' 

•  The  receiving  of  the  consecrated  bread  with  the  glove  on  the  hand 
should  be  avoided  as  iamiliar  and  irreverent  Perbaps  the  laost  decent 
and  proper  manner  ot  receiving  the  consecrated  bread,  is  in  tbe  palm  of 
Ibe  right  hand,  crossed  over  the  left,  and  then  lifted  to  the  moulh. 


the  Holy  Communion,  ^i 

f  Then  shall  the  priest  first  receive  the  communion  in  both  kinds  himself, 
and  proceed  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  bishops,  priests,  and  deacons, 
in  like  manner,  (if  any  be  present)  and,  after  that,  to  the  people  also 
in  order  into  their  hands,  all  devoutly  kneeling:  And  when  he  deliver- 
cth  the  bread,  he  shall  say. 

The  body  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  wae 
given  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and  soul  unto  ever- 
lasting life:  Take  and  eat  thi3  in  remembrance  that 
Christ  died  for  thee,  and  feed  an  him  in  thy  heart  by 
faith,  with  thanksgiving. 

[^%  Use  the  following  ejaculation  after  receiving  the  consecrated  bread; 

Almighty  is  thy  power;  infinite  thy  mercy, 
blessed  Jesus.  Be  it  unto  thy  servant  according 
unto  thy  word.  O  let  thy  body  nourish  and 
strengthen  me  unto  everlasting  life.  Glory  ever- 
more be  unto  thee,  Holy  Jcaua,  the  Author  and 
Finisher  of  my  salvation. 

fl  Use  the  following  ejaculation  before  receiving  the  consecrated  cup: 

I  will  receive  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon 
the  name  of  tlie  Lord.  I  will  ratify  my  vows  with 
this  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant ;  and  devote 
myself  for  ever  to  thy  service,  O  my  God.  Sa- 
viour of  the  world,  evermore  help  and  deUver  me. 

5[  When  the  minister  repeats  the  woixls,  The  blood  oj  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  -which  tous  shed  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and  soul  unto 
everlasting  life — seal  this  affecting  petition  by  saying,  secretly  and 
fervently,  Amen.'\ 

%  And  the  minister  who  df  Hrereth  the  cup  shall  saj^. 

The  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  was 
shed  for  thee,  preserve  thy  body  and  soul  unto  ever- 
lasting life:  Diink  this  in  remembrance  that  Christ's 
blood  was  shed  for  thee,  and  be  thank(ul. 

[If  Use  the  following  ejaculation  after  receiving  the  cup  : 

All-powerful  is  the  efficacy  of  thy  precious  blood, 
O  my  Saviour.  May  it  purify  my  soul  from  sin, 
and  be  a  fountain  of  pardon,  peace,  life  eternal. 
Glory  be  unto  thee,  O  Lamb  of  God,  that  takest 
away  the  sins  of  the  world.     Blessed  is  he  who  re-;^ 


.224  The  Administration  of 

ceiveth  by  faith  the  symbols  of  thy  love  in  thy 
church  on  earth.  He  shall  celebrate  the  everlast- 
ing festival  of  love  in  thy  heavenly  kingdom.  Amen 
and  Amen, 

^  Then  returning  to  your  seat,  use  the  following  prayer: 

Blessed  Jesus !  relying  on  thy  mercy,  I  have 
bowed  myself  at  thy  table,  to  receive  the  precious 
pledges  of  thy  dying  love.  O  may  thy  presence 
go  with  me  from  thy  hol>  altar,  tliat  when  I  return 
to  the  necessary  labours  and  duties  of  the  world,  I 
may  be  enabled,  by  thy  grace,  to  obey  thy  com- 
mandments, and  to  rejoice  in  the  smiles  of  thy  love. 
Guided  by  thy  mercy  through  all  the  dangers  and 
trials  of  my  pilgrimdi^c,  may  I  at  length  depart  out 
of  this  v\orld  in  peace,  in  a  steadfast  reliance  on  thy 
merits,  in  the  joyful  hope  of  the  fruition  of  the 
glories  of  thy  kingdom,  O  blessed  Jesus;  to  whom, 
with  the  Father  and  tht  Holy  Ghost,  1  render  all 
the  praise  of  my  redemption.     Amen* 

^  On  Christmas- day,  Easter-di'A ,  kc  add  to  your  other  devotions  at  the 
communion,  the  following. 

^  Upon  Chrislrais-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

I  desire,  O  God,  evermore  to  bless  and  praise 
thee  for  thy  infinite  love.  For  thou  didst  take 
compassion  on  mankind  in  his  state  of  condemna- 
tion and  misery,  and  didst  send  thy  only  Son  into 
the  world  to  instruct  and  guide  us  by  his  holy  doc- 
trine and  example ;  to  redeem  us  from  sin,  and 
to  purchase  for  us  everlasting  happiness,  by  the 
sacrifice  of  his  death.  Grant,  O  Lord,  that  through 
the  power  of  thy  grace  and  heavenly  benediction, 
I  may  fulfil  the  design  of  my  Saviour's  coming. 
^'  Denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  may  I 
live  righteously,  soberly,  and  godly  in  this  present 


the  Holy  Communion,  225 

world,"  and  thus  be  prepared  to  dwell  for  ever  with 
thee,  O  Father  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  comfort^. 
in  those  mansions  of  bliss  and  glory  which  thou 
hast  prepared  for  them  that  love  thee.     Amen. 

%  upon  Easter-day,  and  seven  days  after. 

Blessed  Jesus !  who,  by  thy  glorious  resurrec- 
tion from  the  dead,  hast  proved  thyself  to  be  the 
Son  of  God,  hast  triumphed  over  the  power  of 
darkness,  and  conquered  death  and  the  grave ;  keep 
me  steadfast  in  the  faith  of  thy  holy  name.  Grant,. 
O  Lord,  that,  by  the  power  of  thy  grace,  I  may 
rise  from  the  death  of  sin  unto  the  life  of  righteous- 
ness; may  daily  proceed  in  all  virtue  and  godli- 
ness of  living ;  and  departing  this  life  in  thy  faiths 
and  fear,  may  finally  have  my  perfect  consumma- 
tion and  bliss,  both  in  body  and  soul,  in  tliy 
eternal  and  everlasting  kingdom.     Amen, 

^  Upon  Ascension-day,  and  seven  days  afters 

O  blessed  Jesus  !  who,  after  thy  conquest  over 
death 'and  hell,  didst  ascend  in  triumph  to  heaven, 
that  thou  mightest  prepare  for  us  mansions  of  eter- 
nal glory  ;  grant  that  the  desires  and  affections  of 
my  soul  may  ascend  after  thee,  and  be  supremely 
engaged  with  the  contemplation  of  the  glories  of 
thy  power  and  love.  For  *'  whom  have  I  in  hea- 
ven but  thee,  and  there  is  none  oji  earth  that  t 
desire  beside  tb^e.'*     Amen, 

^  Upon  Whit-Sunday,  and  sis  daj's  after. 

O  blessed  Jesus  !  who  hast  sent  thy  Holy  Ghost 
to  sanctify  and  comfort  us.  May  my  thoughts 
and  desires,  my  ways  and  actions,  evermore  be 
directed  by  his  divine  guidance.  Let  him  be  unta 
me  a  spirit  of  sanctijication,  to  purify  my  corrupt 
nature ;  a  spirit  of  counsel  in  all  my  difficulties;  of 


226  The  Administration  of 

direction  in  all  my  doubts,  fears,  and  scruples  ;  of 
courage  in  all  my  dangers  ;  of  constancy  and  con- 
solation to  me  under  all  my  persecutions  and  suf- 
ferings, especially  in  time  of  sickness,  and  at  the 
hour  of  death ;  that,  being  governed  and  guided 
by  his  divine  influence  and  direction,  I  may  pass 
through  all  the  changes  and  chances  of  this  mortal 
life,  and  finally  attain  thy  heavenly  kingdom,  there 
to  reign  with  thee,  blessed  Jesus,  world  without 
end.     Amen. 

^  Upon  Trinity  Sunday. 

Glorj'  be  to  thee,  O  God  the  Father,  for  creat* 
ing  me  after  thine  own  image,  and  for  recovering 
me  from  a  state  of  guilt  and  misery.  Glory  be 
to  thee,  O  God  the  Son,  for  undertaking  the 
wonderful  work  of  man's  redemption,  by  assuming 
our  miserable  nature ;  for  the  merits  of  thy  suffer- 
ing life ;  and  for  the  redeeming  efficacy  of  thy 
death.  Glory  be  to  thee,  O  God  the  Holy  Ghost^ 
for  thy  miraculous  gifts  bestowed  upon  the  apos- 
tles ;  and  for  thy  preventing,  restraining,  enlight- 
ening, consoling,  and  sanctifying  grace.  Blessing 
and  honour,  thanksgiving  and  praise,  be  unto  thee, 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 


V  At  this  most  solemn  and  affecting  ordinance,  the  communicant  shouM 
be  constantly  engaged  in  acts  of  devotion.  After  he  h»s  received  the 
elements,  let  him  read  the  following  meditations  until  the  minister  is 
ready  to  go  on  with  the  concluding  portion  of  the  service. 

Rom»  viii.  32.— He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son, 
but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with 
him  also  freely  give  us  all  things  ? 

O  God  !  the  gift  of  thy  only-begotten  and  be- 
loved Son  for  the  sins  of  a  guilty  world,  is  a  sure 


the  Holy  Communion,  227 

pledge  of  thy  infinite  love.  Thy  mercy  in  Christ 
Jesus  is  my  only  solace  when  my  heart  is  in  hea^ 
viness.  This  is  my  only  refuge,  when  dismayed 
by  the  view  of  my  guilt,  and  the  terrors  of  thy 
justice.  Grant  me,  O  Lord,  all  those  graces  and 
virtues  which  will  qualify  me  for  knowini^  and 
enjoying  thee  for  ever,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake, 
the  Son  of  thy  love. 

2  Cor.  V.  15. — Christ  died  for  all^  that  they  which 
live  should  not  henceforth  live  unto  themselves^  but 
unto  him  which  died  for  them. 

To  thee,  O  my  Saviour,  I  consecrate  that  life 
vv^hich  thou  hast  redeemed  by  thy  precious  blood, 
from  the  slavery  of  sin  and  Satan.  Fortify  my  soul, 
I  beseech  thee,  against  all  the  temptations  of  the 
wor/d,  the  Jlesh,  and  the  devii^  that  with  sincerity 
and  devotion  of  heart,  I  may  evermore  serve  thee. 

Matt.  xvi.  24. — If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  /e* 
him  deny  himself  and  take  up  his  cross  and  follovi  me, 

O  my  Saviour !  who  didst  take  upon  thee  the 
form  of  a  servant,  and,  to  redeem  sinful  man, 
didst  bear  his  grief  and  carry  his  sorrows ;  let  me 
not  profess  to  follow  thee,  without  endeavouring 
to  follow  the  blessed  steps  of  thy  most  holy  life ; 
to  imitate  thy  patience,  meekness,  and  humility ; 
thy  great  disregard  for  the  world,  its  pleasures, 
emoluments,  and  honours  ;  thy  lively  com.passion 
for  the  miseries  of  men ;  thy  unwearied  persever- 
ance in  doing  good ;  thy  constancy  and  fervour 
in  prayer ;  thy  supreme  resignation  to  the  will  of 
thy  Father.  Being  thus  conformed  in  all  things 
to  thee,  my  Redeemer  and  Head,  may  I  finally 
participate  of  the  everlasting  glories  on  which 
thou  hast  entered. 


228  The  Administration  of 

Matt.  vi.  24. — No  man  can  serve  two  masters.'^ift 
•cannot  serve  God  and  mammon. 

May  I  never  set  up  any  rival  to  thee,  O  God, 
in  the  possession  of  my  heart.  May  I  never 
attempt  to  reconcile  thy  service  with  the  service 
of  the  world,  which  is  enmity  with  thee.  May  I 
use  it  so  as  not  to  abuse  it.  May  I  ever  make  ail 
its  concerns  subordinate  to  the  concerns  of  my 
salvation^,  And  convinced  of  the  unsatisfying 
nature  of  its  best  enjoyments,  may  I  ardently  and 
supremely  seek  the  enduring  and  satisfying  joys 
of  thy  glorious  presence. 

2  Cor.  vi.  16. —  Ye  are  the  temple  of  the  living 
God. 

Make  me,  O  God,  truly  sensible  of  the  great 
honour  and  blessing  of  being  the  habitation  of  thy 
good  Spirit*— of  the  great  danger  of  profaning,  by 
unholy  passions,  a  temple  consecrated  to  thee. 
Make  me  worthy  of  thy  continual  abode  and  pre- 
sence. Take  possession  of  my  soul — bring  all  its 
powers  into  obedience  to  thy  laws ;  and  enable 
me  to  abound  in  all  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  that  I 
may  enjoy  the  exalted  assurance  that  thou  indeed 
dwellest  in  me. 

Luke  XV.  6. — I  have  found  my  sheep  which  was 
lost, 

O  thou  good  Shepherd !  I  bless  thee  for  thy 
tender  care  and  compassion  of  thy  lost  sheep.  I 
had  indeed  been  for  ever  lost,  had  not  thy  love 
sought  and  found  me  when  I  was  astray.  For 
thy  goodness  sake,  keep  me  from  wandering  from 
thy  fold  ;  and  exalt  me  in  thy  good  time  to  that 
celestial  fold,  into  which  sin  and  sorrow  never 
enter.] 


the  Holy  Communion,  229 

%  If  the  consecrated  bread  and  wine  be  spent  before  all  have  communi- 
cated, the  priest  is  to  consecrate  more,  according  to  the  form  betore 
prescribed;  beginning  at— ^:?//  glory  be  to  thee,  Mmicrhty  God— and 
ending  with  these  words— />armfcer«  of  his  most  blessed  Body  ana 
BIoueL  .     .  ,      ,    _j» 

^  When  all  have  communicated,  the  minister  shall  return  to  the  Lords 
table,  and  reverently  place  upon  it  wh^t  remaineth  of  the  consecrated 
elements,  covering  the  same  with  a  fair  linen  cloth- 

^  Then  shall  the  minister  say  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  people  repeatmg 
after  him  every  petition. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy 
Name;  Thy  kingdom  come;  Thy  will  be  done  on 
earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven ;  Give  us  this  day  our  daily 
bread  ;  And  forgive  us  our  trespasses^  as  we  forgive 
those  who  trespass  against  us  ;  And  lead  us  not  into 
temptation;  But  deliver  us  from  evil  :  For  thine  is 
the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen. 

^  After  shall  be  said  as  foflowelh : 

Almighty  and  everliving  God,  we  most  heartily 
xhank  thee,  for  that  thou  dost  vouchsafe  to  feed  us, 
who  have  duly  received  these  holy  mysteries,  with 
the  spiritual  food  of  the  most  precious  body  and  blood 
of  thy  Son  -oirr^aviour  Jesus  Christ ;  and  dost  assure 
■^19  thereby  of  thy  favour  and  goodness  towards  us; 
and  that  we  are  very  members  incorporate  in  the  mys- 
tical body  of  thy  Son,  which  is  the  blessed  company 
of  all  faithful  people  ;  and  are  ako  heirs  through  hope 
of  thy  everlasting  kingdom,  by  the  merits  of  the  most 
precious  death  and  passion  of  thy  dear  Son.  And  we 
most  humbly  beseech  thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  so  to 
assist  ys  with  thy  grace,  that  we  may  continue  in  that 
holy  fellowship,  and  do  all  such  good  works  as  thou 
hast  prepared  for  us  to  walk  iti,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord;  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
be  all  honour  and  glory,  world  without  end.     /Imen. 

■^  Then  shall  be  said  or  sung,  all  standing,  Gloria  iii  Excehis,  or  some 
proper  hymu  from  the  Selection. 

Glory  be  to  God  on  high,  and  on  earth  peace, 
p:ood-will  towards  men.  We  praise  thee,  we  bless 
thee,  we  worship  thee,  we  glorify  thee,  we  give  thanks 

U 


230  The  Administration  of 

to  thee  for  thy  great  glory,  O  Lord  God,  heaveni/ 
King,  God  the  Father  Almighty. 

0  Lord,  the  only-begotten  Son  Jesus  Christ ;  O 
Lord  God,  Lamb  of  God,  Son  of  the  Father,  that 
takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world,  have  mercy  upon 
us  :  Thou  that  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  warld,  have 
mercy  upon  us :  Thou  that  takest  away  the  sins  of 
the  world,  receive  our  prayer :  Thou  that  sittest  at  the 
right  hand  of  God  the  Father,  have  mercy  upon  us. 

For  thou  only  art  holy ;  thou  only  art  the  Lord  ; 
thou  only,  O  Christ,  with  the  Haly  Ghost,  art  most 
high  in  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.     Amen. 

^  Then  the  priest  (the  bishop,  if  he  be  present)  thall  let  them  depart 
with  this  blessing: 

The  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understand- 
ing, keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the  knowledge 
and  love  of  God,  and  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord  :  And  the  blessing  of  God  Almighty,  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Hoi)'  Ghost,  be  amongst  you,  and 
remain  with  you  always.     Amen. 

[^  After  the  blessing  use  the  following  prayer : 

1  bless  thee,  O  God,  for  the  spiritual  nourish- 
ment with  which  thou  hast  strengthened  and  re- 
freshed my  soul.  I  bless  thee,  that  through  the 
crucified  body  and  blood  of  thy  Son,  I  am  restored 
to  thy  favour.  Pardon  the  many  imperfections 
of  my  services ;  and  grant  me  grace  to  fulfil  the 
sacred  vows  of  love  and  obedience  which  I  have 
made  to  thee,  my  God  and  Father,  through  Jesus 
Christ  my  Redeemer.     Amen.'] 

^Collects  that  may  be  ss'id  after  the  collects  of  morning  or  evening 
prayer,  or  communion,  at  the  discretion  of  the  minister. 

Assist  us  mercifully,  O  Lord,  in  these  our  supplica- 
tions and  prayers  ;  and  dispose  the  way  of  thy  servants 
towards  the  attainment  of  everlasting  salvation  ;  that 
among  all  the  changes  and  chances  of  this  mortal  life, 
they  may  ever  be  defended  by  thy  most  gracious  and 
ready  help,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,     Amen* 


the  Holy  CommuniotJ.  231 

Grant,  we  beseech  thee.  Almighty  God,  that  the 
words  which  we  have  heard  this  day  with  our  outward 
ear?,  may,  through  thy  grace,  be  so  grafted  inwardly 
in  our  hearts,  that  they  may  bring  forth  in  us  the  fruit 
of  good  Hving  ;  to  the  honour  and  praise  of  thy  name, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,     Amen. 

Direct  us,  O  Lord,  in  all  our  doings,  with  thy  most 
gracious  favour,  and  further  us  with  thy  continual 
help  ;  that  in  all  our  works  begun,  continued,  and 
ended  in  thee,  we  may  glorify  thy  holy  name  ;  and 
linally,  by  thy  mercy,  obtain  everlasting  life,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Almighty  God,  the  fountain  of  all  wisdom,  who 
knowest  our  necessities  before  we  ask,  and  our  igno- 
rance in  asking ;  we  beseech  thee  to  have  compassion 
upon  our  infirmities;  and  those  things  which  for  our 
unworthiness  we  dare  not,  and  for  our  blindness  we 
cannot  ask,  vouchsafe  to  give  us,  for  the  worthiness 
of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen, 

Almighty  God,  who  hast  promised  to  hear  the 
petitions  of  those  who  ask  in  thy  Son's  name  ;  we 
beseech  thee  mercifully  to  incline  thine  ears  to  us  who 
Jiave  now  made  our  pra)ers  and  supplications  unto 
thee ;  and  grant,  that  those  things  which  we  have 
faithfully  asked  according  to  thy  will,  may  effectually 
be  obtained  ;  to  the  relief  of  our  necessity,  and  to  the 
netting  forth  of  thy  glory,  through  Jesus  Clirist  our 
Lord,     Amen, 

5i  Upon  Sundays  and  other  l.o'y  days  (if  there  be  no  sermon  or  commu- 
nion) sliall  be  said  all  ihut  is  appointttl  at  the  communion,  unto  the  tnd 
of  the  Gospel,  concluding  witli  the  blessing.  And  if  any  of  the  conse- 
crated bread  and  wine  remHJn  nfttr  the  communion,  it  shall  not  be  - 
carried  out  of  the  church;  but  the  minister  and  other  tommuiiici+nts 
shall,  immediately  after  the  blessing,  reverently  eat  and  drink  the  same. 

LH  tJpon  your  return  home,  retire  to  your  closet  to  praise  God  for  his 
mercies,  and  to  supplicate  his  blessing  in  the  following  prayer  : 

I  adore  and  praise  thee,  O  God,  for  the  rich 
blessings  of  thy  covenant  of  mercy,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  which  thou  hast  sealed  to  mv  soul  in  that 


232        Administration  of  the  Communion. 

hallowed  ordinance  of  which  I  have  participatetl. 
I  bless  thee,  O  Lord,  that  having  humbly  and 
bincerely  devoted  myself  to  thee,  and  sealed  my 
vows  over  the  sacred  symbols  of  the  body  and 
blood  of  thy  Son,  I  can  enjoy  the  exalted  hope 
that  thy  raercy  will  be  my  constant  solace;  thy 
grace  my  sure  protection  and  reward.  O  how 
great  is  thy  love,  in  thus  providihg^^formy  perish- 
ing soul  divine  succours  and  consolations  I  May 
the  obligations  of  my  holy  vows,  the  sacred  claims- 
of  thy  love,  be  ever  present  to  my  remembrance, 
and  excite  me  diligently  and  earnestly  to  aim  at 
serving  and  obeying  thee.  O  may  I  not,  by 
transgression,  crucify  afresh  that  Saviour  whose 
sufferings  I  have  commemorated,  whose  mercy  1 
have  experienced.  Almighty  God!*  thou  know- 
est  the  weakness  of  my  nature,  and  the  number- 
less temptations  that  encompass  me ;  evermore 
strengthen  me  by  thy  grace.  Without  thee  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  stand — O  lead  me  by  thy 
iilmrghty  arm — refresh  my  soul  with  the  consola- 
tions of  thy  love — guide  me  to  the  end,  in  thy 
service  ^.  and  when  ray  strength  and  my  heart, 
iailethy  when  my  soul  is  sinking  in  the  shades  of 
death,,  he  thou,  O  Lord,  the  strength  of  my  heart, 
and  my  portion  for  ever.  O  my  Saviour,  visit 
me  with  thy  salvation;  let  me  see  the  felicity  of/ 
thy  chosen^  and  rejoice  evermore  in  the  gladness 
of  thy  people.     Amen. 

^  Let  the  comBriunioant  devote  all  the  rest  of  the  dwy  which  is  not  oc- 
cupied with  the  puhlic  service  of  ilie  church,  to  |)rivate  acts  of  devo- 
tion; to  mediti.Vit>g  on  the  infinite  mercy  and  love  of  his  God  and 
Saviour;  to  rtcnllii'g  to  mind  the  sacred  obligations  to  grateful  and 
lioly  obedience  which. this  hallowed  oi'dinance  has  imposed  upon  him  ; 
and  to  earnestly  and  humbly  imploring  tlic  succours  of  divine  grace, 
that  he  may  be  s^anctified  both  in  soui  and  bo<ly,  and  may  be  so  con- 
ducted ••  through  things  temporal,  that  he  finally  lose  act  the  things 
that  ai-e  etcrrral."'^ 


233 
FORMS 

OP 

DAILY   DEVOTION. 

(^From  Bishop  Taylor.) 

A  FORM  OF  PRAYER  FOR  THE 
MORNING, 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  SoUy 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost — Our  Father,  &c. 

I. 

Most  glorious  and  eternal  God,  Father  of 
mercy  and  God  of  all  comfort,  I  worship  and 
adore  thee  with  the  lowest  humility  of  my 
soul  and  body,  and  give  thee  all  thanks  and 
praise  for  thy  infinite  and  eternal  glories  and 
perfections ;  and  for  the  continual  demonstra- 
tion of  thy  mercies  upon  me,  upon  all  mine, 
and  upon  thy  holy  Catholic  Church. 

11. 

I  acknowledge,  O  God,  that  I  have  deserv- 
ed thy  wrath  and  indignation.  But  thy  mercy 
triumphing  over  thy  justice  and  my  sins,  thou 
hast  still  continued  to  me  life  and  time  of 
repentance ;  thou  hast  opened  to  me  the  gates 
of  grace  and  mercy ;  and  perpetually  called 
upon  me  to  enter  in,  and  to  walk  in  the  paths 
of  a  holy  life,  that  I  might  glorify  thee,  and 
be  glorified  by  thee  eternally. 

u  3 


234  Forms  of  Daily  Devotion.' 

III. 

Behold,  O  God,  for  this  thy  great  and  un- 
speakable goodness,  for  the  preservation  of 
me  this  night,  and  for  aJH  thy  graces'  and 
blessings,  I  offer  up  my '^soul  and  body,  all 
that  I  am,  and  all  that  I  have,  as  a  sacrifice 
to  thee  and  thy  service ;  humbly  begging  of 
thee  to  pardon  all  my  sins,  to  defend  me  from 
all  evil,  to  lead  me  into  all  good ;  and  let  my 
portion  be  amongst  thy  redeemed  ones,  in 
the  gathering  together  of  the  saints,  in  the 
kingdom  of  grace  and  gloj-y.  . 

Guide  me,  O  Lord,  in  all  the  changes  and 
varieties  of  the  world  ;  that  in  all  things  that 
shall  happen,  I  may  have  an  evenness  and 
tranquillity  of  spirit;  that  my  soul  may  be 
wholly  resigned  to  thy  divine  will  and  plea- 
sure ;  never  murmuring  at  thy  gentle  chas- 
tisements and  fatherly  correction,  never  wax- 
ing proud  and  insolent,  though  1  feel  a  torrent 
of  comforts  and  prosperous  successes. 

V. 

Fix  my  thoughts,  my  hopes,  and  my  desires 
upon  heaven  and  heavenly  things;  teach  me 
to  despise  the  world,  to  repent  me  deeply  for 
my  sins  ;  give  me  holy  purposes  of  amend- 
ment, and  divine  strength  and  assistance  to 
perform  faithfully  whatsoever  I  shall  intend 
piously.  Enrich  my  understanding  with  an 
internal  treasure  of  divine  truths,  that  1  may 


Forms  of  Daily  Dtruotion,.  235 

know  thy  will ;  and  thou,  who  workest  in  us^ 
to  will  and  to  do  of  thy  good  pleasure,  teach 
me  to  obey  all  thy  commandments,  to  believe 
all  thy  revelations,  and  make  me  partaker  of 
thy  gracious  promisese 

VI. 

Teach  me  to  watch  over  all  my  ways,  that 
I  may  never  be  surprised  by  sudden  tempta- 
tions,- or  a  careless  spirit,  nor  ever  return  to 
folly  and  vanity.  Set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before 
my  mouth,  and  keep  the  door  of  my  lips,  that 
I  offend  not  in  my  tongue  neither  against  piety 
nor  charity.  Teach  me  to  think  of  nothing 
but  thee,  and  what  is  in  order  to  thy  glory 
and  service  ;  to  speak  of  nothing  but  thee 
and  thy  glories  ;  and  to  do  nothing  but  what 
becomes  thy  servant,  whom  thy  infinite  mercy, 
by  the  graces  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  hath- sealed 
up  to  the  day  of  redemption. 

VII. 

Let  all  my  passions  and  affections  be  sc^ 
mortified  and  brought  under  the  dominion  of 
grace,^  that  I  may  never  by  deliberation  and 
purpose,  nor  yet  by  levity,  rashness,  or  in- 
consideration,  offend  thy  Divine  Majesty. 
Make  me  such  as  thou  wouldst  have  me  to 
be  ;  strengthen  my  faith,  confirm  my  hope, 
and  give  me  a  daily  increase  of  charity ;  that 
this  day  and  ever  I  may  serve  thee  according 
to  all  my  opportunities  and  capacities,  grow- 
ing from  grace  to  grace,  till  at  last,  by  thy 


236  Forms  of  Daily  Devotioiu 

mercies,  I  shall  receive  the  consummation 
and  perfection  of  grace,  even  the  glories  of 
thy  kingdom,  in  the  full  fruition  of  the  face 
and  excellencies  of  God  the  Father,  the  Son,, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  to  whom  be  glory  and. 
praise,  honour  and  adoration  given  by  all 
angels,  and  all  men,  and  all  creatures^  now 
and  to  all  eternity.    Amen, 

%  After  wWcb  conclude  with  this  ejaculation: 

Now  in  all  tribulation  and  anguish  of  spirit, 
in  all  dangers  of  soul  and  body,  in  prosperity 
and  adversity,  in  the  hour  of  death,  and  in 
the  day  of  judgment,  holy  and  most  blessed 
Saviour,  Jesus^  have  mercy  upon  me;^  save 
jne  and  deliver  me.     Amen, 


A  FORM  OF  PRAYER  FOR  NOONo 

L 

O  ETERNAL  God,  mcrciful  and  gracious, 
vouchsafe  thy  favour  and  thy  blessing  to  thy 
servant:  let  the  love  of  thy  mercies,  and  the 
dread  and  fear  of  thy  majesty,  make  me 
careful  and  inquisitive  to  search  thy  will,  and 
diligently  to  perform  it,  and  to  persevere  in 
the  practices  of  a  holy  life,  even  till  the  last 
of  my  days. 

II. 

Keep  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  thine  by  crea- 
tion;  guide  me,  for  I  am  thine  by  purchase; 
thou  hast  redeemed  itie  by  the  blood  of  thy 


Forms  ofDaih/  Devotion,-  23 T 

Sen,  and  loved  me  with  the  love  ofa  Father  ; 
for  I  am  thy  child  by  adoption  and  grace. 
Let  thy  mercy  pardon  my  sins,  thy  providence 
secure  me  from  the  punishments  and  evils  I 
have  deserved,  and  thy  care  watch  over  me,, 
that  I  may  never  any  more  offend  thee.  Make 
me  in  malice  to  be  a  child;  but  in  under- 
stnnding,  piety,  and  the  fear  of  God,  let  me 
be  a  perfect  man  in  Christ,  innocent  and 
prudent,  readily  furnished  and  instructed  to 
every  good  work. 

iir. 

Keep  me,  O  Lord,  from  the  destroying 
angel,  and  from  the  wrath  of  God.  Let  thy 
anger  never  rise  against  me  ;  but  thy  rods 
gently  correct  my  follies,  and  guide  me  in  thy 
ways;  and  thy  staff  support  me  in  all  suffer- 
ings and  changes.  Keep  all  my  senses  entire 
tilL  the  day  of  my  death  ;  and  let  my  death 
be  neither  sudden,  untimely,  nor  unprovided; 
let  it  be  after  the  common  manner  of  men, 
having  in  it  nothing  extraordinary,  but  an 
extraordinary  piety,  and  the  manifestation  of 
thy  great  and  miraculous  mercy,. 

IV. 

Let  no  riches^  make  me  ever  forget  myself^ 
no  poverty  ever  make  me  forget  thee.  Let 
no  hope  or  fear,  no  pleasure  or  pain,  no  ac- 
cident without,  no  weakness  within,  hinder 
or  discompose  my  duty,  or  turn  me  from  the 
ways  of  thy  commandments.  O  let  thy  Spirit 
dwell  with  me  for  ever,  and  make  my  soul 


238  Forms  of  Daily  Devotion^ 

just  and  charitable,  full  of  honesty,  full  of 
religion,  resolute  and  constant  in  holy  pur- 
poses, but  inflexible  to  evil.  Make  me  hum- 
ble and  obedient,  peaceable  and  pious.  Let 
me  never  envy  any  man's  good,  nor  deserve 
to  be  despised  myself;  and  if  I  be,  teach  me 
to  bear  it  with  meekness  and  charity. 

V. 

Give  me  a  tender  conscience ;  a  conversa- 
tion discreet  and  affable,  modest  and  patient, 
liberal  and  obliging ;  a  body  chaste  and 
healthful ;  competency  of  living  according  to 
my  condition  ;  contentedness  in  all  estates ; 
a  resigned  will  and  mortified  affections  ;  that 
I  may  be  as  thou  wouldst  have  me,  and  that 
my  portion  may  be  in  the  lot  of  the  righteous, 
in  the  brightness  of  thy  countenance,  and  the 
glories  of  eternity.     Amen. 

Holy  is  our  God.  Holy  is  the  Almighty. 
Holy  is  the  Immortal.  Holy,  holy,  holy  Lord 
Qod  of  Hosts,  have  mercy  upon  me. 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  &c. 


A  FORM  OF  PRAYER  FOR  EVENING. 

I. 

O  ETERNAL  God,  great  Father  of  men  and 
angels,  who  hast  established  the  heavens  and 
the  earth  in  a  wonderful  order,  making  day 
and  night  to  succeed  each  other;  I  make  my 
humble  address  to  thy  Divine  Majesty,  beg- 


Forms  of  Daily  Devotion.  S'3& 

ging  of  thee  mercy  and  protection  this  night 
an(J  ever.  O  Lord,  pardon  all  my  sins,  my 
light  and  rash  words,  the  vanity  and  impiety 
of  ray  thoughts,  my  unjust  and  uncharitable 
actions,  and  whatsoever  sins  I  have  committed 
against  thee  this  day,  or  any  time  before. 
Behold,  O  God,  my  soul  is  troubled  in  the 
remembrance  of  my  sins,  in  the  frailty  and 
sinfulness  of  my  flesh,  exposed  to  every  temp- 
tation, and  of  itself  not  able  to  resist  any. 
Ijord  God  of  mercy,  I  earnestly  beg  of  thee 
to  give  me  a  great  portion  of  thy  grace,  such 
as  may  be  sufficient  and  effectual  for  the 
mortification  of  all  my  sins,  and  vanities,  and 
disorders:  that  as  I  have  formerly  starved  my 
lust  and  unworthy  desiriis,  so  now  I  may  give 
myself  up  wholly  to  thy  service  and  the  studies 
of  a  holy  life. 

II. 

Blessed  Lord,  teach  me  frequently  and 
sadly  to  remember  my  sins;  and  be  thou 
pleased  for  Jesus  my  Redeemer's  sake  to 
remember  them  no  more.  Let  me  never 
forget  thy  mercies,  and  do  thou  still  remem- 
ber to  do  me  good.  Teach  me  to  walk  al- 
ways as  in  thy  presence.  Ennoble  my  soul 
with  great  degrees  of  love  to  thee ;  and  im- 
press on  my  spirit  a  great  fear  and  veneration 
of  thy  holy  name  and  laws  ;  that  it  may  be- 
come the  great  employment  of  my  whole  life 
to  serve  thee,  to  advance  thy  glory,  to  root 
out  all  the  habits  of  sin,  that  in  holiness  of 


240  Forms  of  Daily  Devotion, 

iife,  in  humility,  in  charity,  in  chastity,  and 
in  all  the  ornaments  of  grace,  1  may  by  pa- 
tience wait  for  the  coming  af  our  Lord  Jesus, 
Amen. 

III. 

Teach  me,  O  Lord,  to  number  my  days?, 
that  I  may  apply  my  heart  unto  wisdom ; 
ever  to  remember  my  last  end,  that  I  may 
not  dare  to  sin  against  thee.  Let  thy  holy 
angels  be  ever  present  with  me,  to  keep  me 
in  all  my  ways  from  the  malice  and  violence 
of  the  spirits  of  darkness,  from  evil  company, 
and  the  occasions  and  opportunities  of  evil, 
from  all  the  ways  of  sinful  shame,  from  the 
hands  of  all  mine  enemies,  from  a  sinful  life, 
and  from  despair  in  the  hour  of  my  death. 
Then,  O  blessed  Jesus,  shine  gloriously  upon 
me ;  let  thy  mercies,  and  the  light  of  thy 
countenance  sustain  me  in  my  agonies,  weak- 
nesses, and  temptations ;  give  me  an  oppor- 
tunity of  a  prudent  and  spiritual  guide,  and 
of  receiving  the  holy  sacrament;  and  let  thy 
loving  Spirit  so  guide  me  in  the  ways  of 
peace  and  safety,  that  with  the  testimony  of 
a  good  conscience,  and  the  sense  of  thy  mer- 
cies and  grace,  I  may  depart  this  life  in  the 
unity  of  the  church,  in  the  love  of  God,  and 
a  certain  hope  of  salvation  through  thee,  my 
Lord  and  blessed  Saviour.     Amen. 

IV. 

Into  thy  hands,  most  blessed  Jesus,  I  com- 
mend my  soul  and  body,  for  thou  hast  re- 


Forms  of  Daily  Devotion,  241 

deemed  both  with  thy  most  precious  blood. 
So  bless  and  sanctify  my  sleep  unto  me,  that 
it  may  be  temperate,  holy,  and  safe,  a  re- 
fresh mtant  to  my  wearied  body,  to  enable  it 
so  to  serve  my  soul,  that  both  may  serve  thee 
with  a  never-failing  duty.  O  let  me  never 
sleep  in  sin  or  death  eternal,  but  give  me  a 
watchful  and  a  prudent  spirit,  that  I  may  omit 
no  opportunity  of  serving  thee  ;  that  whether 
I  sleep  or  wake,  live  or  die,  I  may  be  thy 
servant  and  thy  child;  that  when  the  work  of 
my  life  is  done,  I  may  rest  in  the  bosom  of 
my  Lord ;  till  by  the  voice  of  the  archangel, 
the  trump  of  God,  I  shall  be  awakened  and 
called  to  sit  down  and  feast  at  the  eternal 
supper  of  the  Lamb.  Grant  this,  O  Lamb  of 
God,  for  the  honour  of  thy  mercies,  and  the 
glory  of  thy  name,  O  most  merciful  Saviour 
and  Redeemer  Jesus,  Amen, 
Our  Father,  Slc, 

Psalm  cxxi.  1,  &c. — I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes 
unto  the  hills,  from  whence  eometh  my  help. 

My  help  eometh  from  the  Lord,  who  hath 
made  heaven  and  earth. 

He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved : 
he  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber. 

Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Israel  shall  neither 
slumbernor  sleep. 

The  Lord  is  thy  keeper  :  the  Lord  is  thy 
shade  upon  thy  right  hand. 

The   sun    shall    not   smite   thee   by   day, 
neither  the  moon  by  night. 

X 


242  Forms  of  Daily  Devotion. 

The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil  3 
he  shall  preserve  ihy  soul. 

The  Lord  shall  preserve  thy  going  out  and 
thy  coming  in,  from  this  time  forth  for  ever- 
more. 

Glory  be  to  the  Father,  &c. 


To  your  Evening  Devotions  add  the  follow-^ 
ing  Act  of  Intercession, 

O  God  of  infinite  mercy,  who  hast  com- 
passion on  all  men,  and  relievest  the  neces- 
sities of  all  that  call  to  thee  fbr  help  ;  hear 
the  prayers  of  thy  servant,  who  is  unworthy 
to  ask  any  petition  for  himself,  yet  in  humility 
and  duty  is  bound  to  pray  for  others. 

O  let  thy  mercy  descend  upon  the  whole 
church ;  preserve  her  in  truth  and  peace,  in 
unity  and  safety;  that  offering  to  thy  glory 
the  never-ceasing  sacrifice  of  prayer  and 
thanksgiving,  she  may  advance  the  honour  of 
her  Lord,  and  be  filled  with  his  Spirit,  and 
partake  of  his  glory.     Amen. 

Bless  all  Christian  rulers,  and  grant  them 
grace,  wisdom,  and  understanding,  to  execute 
ju:^tice,  and  to  maintain  truth.     Amen. 

Bless  those  who  minister  in  holy  things. 
Clothe  them  with  salvation,  that  the  people 
may  rejoice.     Amen. 

Let  all  my  family  and  kindred,  my  neigh- 
bours and  friends,  receive  the  benefit  of  my 


Forms  of  Daily  Devotmi.  243 

prayers,  and  the  blessings  of  thy  favour  ;  the 
comforts  and  supports  of  thy  providence,  and 
the  sanctification  of  thy  Spirit.     Amen, 

Reheve  and  comfort  ail  the  persecuted 
and  afflicted ;  speak  peace  to  troubled  con- 
sciences ;  strengthen  the  weak ;  confirm  the 
strong  ;  instruct  the  ignorant ;  deliver  the  op- 
pressed from  him  that  spoileth  him  ;  and  re- 
lieve the  needy  that  hath  no  helper ;  and 
bring  us  all,  by  the  waters  of  comfort,  and 
in  the  ways  of  righteousness,  to  the  kingdom 
of  rest  and  glory,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.     Amen. 


To  If  our  Devotions  on  Sunday  add  the 
following, 

{From  Bishop  ^incJreios.) 

Through  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God, 
the  day-spring  from  on  high  hath  visited  us. 

Blessed  be  thy  name,  O  Lord,  for  that 
light  which  no  darkness  ever  overspreads, 
that  sun  which  never  goes  down. 

O  thou  who,  on  this  day,  didst  rise  again, 
raise  up  my  soul  to  newness  of  life ;  grant 
me  repentance  from  dead  works,  and  plant 
me  in  the  likeness  of  thy  resurrection. 

And  thou,  O  Father  and  God  of  peace, 
who  didst  bring  again  from  the  dead  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  great  Shepherd  of 
the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the  everlast- 


244  Forms  of  Daily  Devofio?u 

ing  covenant;  make  me  perfect  in  every 
good  work  to  Ho  thy  will,  working  in  me  that 
which  is  well  pleasing  in  thy  sight,  tjjrough 
Jesus  Christ. 

O  thou  who  didst  also  on  this  day  of  the 
week  send  down  on  thy  apostles  thy  most 
Holy  Spirit ;  take  not  the  same  Spirit  away 
from  us ;  but  grant  to  all  thy  servants  who 
ask  it  of  thee,  that  they  may  be  daily  renew- 
ed, and  more  plentifully  enriched  with  the 
same. 

O  Lord,  who,  by  choosing  this  day  for 
these  most  important,  most  beneficial  events, 
didst  direct  thy  apostles  to  call  it,  and  to 
make  it  thy  holy  day ;  grant  that  by  implor- 
ing thy  grace,  and  celebrating  thy  praise  on 
this  holy  day ;  by  praising  and  reading  thy 
word;  and  by  attending  on  the  public  assem- 
blies of  thy  saints  in  the  house  where  thy 
honour  dwelleth ;  I  may  be  prepared  for  that 
eternal  rest  which  remaineth  for  the  people 
of  God,  of  which  the  sacred  rest  of  this  day 
is  a  figure  and  a  pledge — and  for  joining  in 
the  eternal  hymns  of  angels  and  blessed 
spirits  in  the  life  to  come  ;  ascribing  unto 
God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  honour  and  praise,  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen. 


Forms  of  Daily  Devotion,  245 

SHORT  EJACULATIONS. 

In  the  Morningj  when  you  first  awake  and 
see  the  Light* 

I  BLESS  thee,  O  Lord,  for  watching  over 
me  this  night,  and  for  bringing  me  to  enjoy 
the  comforts  of  another  day.  Lord,  lift  thou 
up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  me. 

When  you  get  up, 

I  laid  me  down  and  slept,  and  rose  up 
again,  for  the  Lord  sustained  me.  O  let  me 
awake  unto  righteousness,  and  arise  from 
the  dead,  that  Christ  may  give  m,e  light. 

When  you  lie  down  at  Night, 

i  will  lay  me  down  in  peace,  to  take  my 
rest.  O  my  God,  under  the  shadow  of  thy 
wings  make  me  to  dwell  in  safety. 

In  tlie  Church,  before  Divine  Service, 

O  Lord,  pardon  my  sins,  and  receive  my 
prayers  ;  and  may  the  truths  of  salvation  here 
proclaimed  make  me  wise  unto  salvation^ 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen, 

After  Divine  Service, 

O  Lord,  pardon  the  imperfections  both  of 
my  prayers  and  praises,  and  incline  me  not 
only  to  hear  thy  word,  but  to  obey  the  same^ 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,     Amen, 

X2 


246  Forms  of  Daily  Devotion. 

Grace  before  Meat, 

Bless,  O  Lord,  we  beseech  thee,  this  re- 
freshment to  our  use,  aud  us  to  thy  service^ 
for  Christ's  sake.     Aiiun, 

Grace  after  Meat. 

For  this  and  every  other  mercy,  O  God, 
thy  holy  name  be  praised,  through  J^suf? 
Christ  our  Lord.    Amen, 


DIRECTIONS 


COLLECTS  AND  PSAIiMS, 

IK  THE 

BOOK  OF  COMMON  PRAYER, 

iTROPER  TO  BE  USED  BY  THE  COMMUNICANT  IN  HIS  PRIVATE 
DEVOTION. 


For  God's  assistance  in  the  perform 
ance  of  our  duty, 

For  deliverance  from,  and  support 
under,  yfflictioDS, 


For  the  universal  church, 


J'or  peace  and  unity  of  the  church. 

For  contrition, 
\gainst  covetousness, 

For  conyersion  from  sin, 

For  the  benefit  of  Christ's  death, 
For  a  right  and  firm  faith, 
For  faith,  hope,  and  charity, 

For  grace  and   assistance  in  our 
spiritual  course. 

For  eternal  happiuess. 

For  humility  and  patience. 
For  imitation  of  Christ, 

For  our  imitation  of  the  saints, 


Collects.     See-^ 
•  (1st  Sunday  after  Epiphany^ 
^9th  after  Trinity. 
C  3d  Sunday  after  Epiphany, 

<  8th  after  JVinity, 
C  5th  in  Lent. 

r  5tli  Sunday  sfier  Epiphany, 

J  St.  John  Evangelist, 

J  ^d  for  Good  Friday, 

C  16th  and  22d  after' Trinity. 

C  5th  Sunday  after  Trinity, 

<  St.  Simon  and  St.  Jude,' 
(See  ^Ministers. 

Ash-Wednesday. 

St.  Matthew's  Day. 
r  Ibt  Sunday  in  Advent, 
\  1  St  after  Easter, 

<  St.  Andrew's  Day, 
J  St  James's  Dav, 

(.  ^t    Matthew's 'Day. 

The  Annunciation, 
r Trinity  Sunday,  St.  Thomas,  ant; 
i     St.  Mark. 

14th  Sunday  after  Trinity. 
r  2d  Sunday  in  Lent, 
^  4th  in  Advent, 
J  Easter-Day, 

(  1st,  '2d,  and  13lh  after  Trinity. 
r  1st  Sunday  in  Advent, 
>  Epiphany, 

J  6th  Sunday  after  Epipliany, 
^  Sunday  after  Ascension  Day. 

Sunday  before  Easter. 

2d  Sunday  after  Easter. 
r  St.  Stephen's  Day. 
\  St.  Philip's  Day,' 

<  St.  James's  Day, 
/St. John  Bapiig't'8  Day, 
V  All  Saints  D»}-. 


248  Directions  to  Collects  and  Psalms c 

Collects. 
For  deliverance  f.o™  judgments.     {|.t''Sy"\ It.?' 

For  thelove  of  God  and  hi,  ,aw=,     {titAtlt^X^Triuiiy 
For  love  and  charity,  Quinquagesimy  Sunday. 


For  the  ministers  of  God's  word  S  l[-  ^y^^'^r\\^  ^"y» 

and  sacraments.  KVi^^T'       {',       . 

•  f  3d  Sunday  ni  Advent. 

For  mortification,  The  Circumcision,  and  Easter-Day. 

For  tiie  protection  of  God's  provi-C'id,  3<),  4th,  and  20th  Sunday  s  after 

dence,  c     Trinity. 

For  puritv  of  heait.  The  Puiification. 

For  pardon  of  sin,  P^^\h,  '21st.  and  24th  Sundays  after 

•  '  C       1  rmity. 

For  acceptance  of  our  prayers,  lOth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

For  renovation,  Christmas-Day. 

To  be  truly  rehgious,  7th  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

For  (christian  resolulion,  St.  John  Baptist's  Diiy. 

For  sincerity,  3d  Sunday  after  Hasler. 

Before  reading  the  Scriptures,  '2d  Sunday  in  Advent. 

Against  evil  ihou^hts,  5ll)  after  iiaster. 

For  deliverance  from,  and  support  c  4th  after  Epiphany, 

under,  temptations,  \-2il  in  Lent. 

r  .5th  after  Easter, 
For  fruitfulness  in  good  uorks,       <   1st,  lith,  1  Ith,  13th,  17th,  and  25lh 

C      after  Triiiity. 

J^salmn, 
For  God's  assistance  in  our  saci amental  preparation,  23,  2§,  111. 

For  the  gift  and  grace  of  repentance,  -         -  6,  25,  3ii,  38, 

Before  self-ex amitiation,     -         -         -         -         -  139. 

For  confession  (jf  sins,  and  for  forgivcne-ss,  -         -  6,  32,  38,  51. 

An  act  of  contrition, 25. 

On  a  resolution  to  lead  a  new  life,       -         .         -  1,  23,  24,  25, 126. 

For  faith  in  God's  mercy  through  Christ's  de;tth,  19,  57. 

For  a  thankful  rememhi-anve  of  Christ's  deaih,  '2,  3,  4,  103. 

For  the  grace  of  chanty, 15,41,112,133. 

For  grace  to  love  God's  law,      -        -         .         -  19,  119. 

For  a  holy  life, -  85.     ^ 

For  salvation  and  eternal  liHppiness,  -         -         -  IG,  24. 

For  G<k1's  care  and  protection,  -         .         -         -  37. 

For  the  comfort  of  (tcxI's  holy  Spirit,         .         -  34. 

For  humility,     ---...-  131. 

Thanksgiving  for  God's  mercies,         ...  103,136,138. 

For  pardon  of  sins, -  85,106,116. 

For  re<lemption  hy  Christ,  -         -         -         -  98,118. 

Against  evil  and  perplexhig  thoughts,         .         .  6,  34,  42,  43,  102. 

On  Christmas-Day,  and  seven  days  after,   -        -  19,45,85. 

Faster-Day,  and  seven  days  afier,       .        -         -  2,57,111. 

Whitsunday,  and  six  days' after,  -        -         -  34,  4'2,  43,  51. 

Trinity  Suf.day, 2,47,72,110. 

For  the  grace  of  pei*severanc(.',  -        ...  86,119. 

For  the  morning, 4,16,17,23,86. 

For  the  evening,        -        -        -        •        -        -  119,130,138. 


Dire  ctions  to  Psalms.  84^ 

The  seven  Penitential  Psalms  are  the  6th,  32(1,  33lh,  51st,  lOid,  130t.h, 

S4nd  143(1. 
Oui-  S:ivinur's  Sermon  on  the  Mount  is  the  5th,  6th,  an(]  7th  chapters 

of  St.  Matthew. 

The  eight  Beatitudes.     5/.  Matt.  chap.  v.  ver.  3,  Sfc' 

1.  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit;  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 

2.  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn;   for  they  shall  he  comforted. 
.1.  Blessed  are  the  meek;  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

4.  Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness; 
for  tl)ey  shall  befiile(i. 

5.  Blessed  are  the  merciful:  for  they  sh^jl  obtain  mercy. 

6.  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart ;  for  ihey  shall  see  Cind. 

7.  Blessed  are  the  peacemakers;  for  they  shall  be  called  the  children 
of  Ciod. 

8.  Blessed  are  they  which  are  persecuted  for  righteousness'  sake  j  for 
theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 


NOTE  A,  FOR  PAGE  178. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  present  to  the  reader  the  following  passages  fron* 
the  writings  of  the  Fathers,  which,  with  many  others  that  might  be 
produced,  decisively  prove,  that  the  primitive  church  was  episcopal. 

FIRST  CENTURY. 

Ignatius,  Bishop,  of  Antioch^  in  hia  Epistle  to  the 
Trallians. 


**  Continue  inseparable  from  Jesus  Christ  our  God,  and  from  your 
bishop,  and  from  the  commands  of  the  apostles.  He  that  is  within  the 
altar  is  pure;  but  he  that  is  ivithoiii,  that  is,  does  any  thing  without  the 
bishop,  3in(lpresbt/ters,  and  deacons,  is  not  pure  in  his  conscience.'* 

In  his  Epistle  to  the  Smyrnians. 

**  Let  no  man  do  any  thing  of  whsit  belongs  to  the  church  without  the 
bishop.  It  is  not  lawful,  xvithonl  the  bishop,  neither  to  baptize,  nor  tu 
celebrate  the  holy  communion." 

SECOND  CExNTURY. 

Trex^us,  Bishop  of  Lyons^ 

"We  can  reckon  up  those  whom  the  apostles  ordained  to  be  bishops  in 
the  se\eral  churches,  and  who  they  were  ihsil  succeeded  them  do\rn  IQ 
bur  tinoes."* 

*  Irenxus,  lib.  Hi.  cap.  S. 


S50  ,Vore  A,  for  Pa^e  178. 

Clemens,  of  Alexandria. 

*' There  are  other  precepts  without  number;  some  which  reh^te  to 
prenbtjtei'S;  others  which  helong  to  bishops;  others  respecting  deacons.'^' 

THIRD  CENTURY. 
Origin,  of  Alexandria, 

**  There  is  a  debt  due  to  deacons ,'  another  to  presbyters  ;  and  another 
to  bishops,  wljich  is  the  gieatest  of  all,  and  exacted  by  the  Saviour  of 
the  whole  church. "j 

Cyprian,  Bishofi  of  Carthage. 

**The  church  is  built  on  bishops,  and  every  act  of  the  church  is  govern- 
ed arid  directed  by  them,  ks  p7^eside}its."t' 

The  te^^iruony  of  St.  Jerome,  in  the  fourth  centurj-,  has  been  supposed, 
by  some,  to  militate  against  episcopacy.  In  his  ourament  on  the  firit 
chapter  of  Titus,  he  advances  only  as  a  conjecture,  "  that  the  churcltes 
■were  at  first  governed  by  a  college  oi presbyters,  equal  in  rank  and  dig- 
nity. Afterwards,  divisions  being  occasioned  by  this  parity  among  pres- 
byters, when  every  presbyter  began  to  claim,  as  his  own  particular  sub- 
jects, those  whom  he  had  baptized ;  and  it  was  said  by  the  people,  J  am 
of  Paid,  and  I  of  Apollos,  and  /  of  Cephas  ;  to  remedy  this  evil,  it  was 
ordered,  all  the  world  over,  that  one  of  the  presbyters  in  every  church 
should  be  set  over  the  rest,  and  peculiarly  called  bishop."  But  it  is 
evident,  that  in  this  passage,  St  Jerome  phdnly  refers  the  degree  by 
•which  bishops  were  established  over  presbyters,  to  the  time  of  the  apos^ 
tics.  He  not  only  assigns,  as  the  occasion  of  it,  the  adherence  of  some  to 
l^aul,  of  othei*s  to  Apollos,  of  others  to  Cephas,  which  is  reproved  by  St. 
Paul,  in  his  epistle  to  the  Corinthians;  but  in  his  epistle  to  Rvagrius,  he 
expressly  calls  the  distinction  of  bishops,  presbyters,  and  deacons,  an 
apostolic  institution^  and  taken  by  the  apostles  from  the  Old  Testament, 
where  Aaron,  iiis  sons  the  priests,  and  the  Levites,  correspond  to  the 
three  orders  of  the  Christian  church.  In  his  catalogue  of  ecclesiastical 
■writers,  he  affirms,  "that  James  was  ordained  bishop  of  Jerusalem  lythe 
apostles ;  that  rimothy  was  made  bishop  of  Ephesus,  and  Titus  of  Crete, 
by  St.  I'aul;  and  l*olycarp,  bishop  of  Smyrna,  by  St.  John,"  &c.  Even 
i\\  St.  Jerome's  opinion,  therefore,  the  primacy  of  bishops  over  presbyters 
vas  an  apostolic  institution.  Yet,  were  the  opinion  of  St.  Jerome  other- 
^vise,  tlie  oiiinion  of  a  single  Father,  in  the  fourth  century,  ought  not 
certainly  to  be  adduced  against  the  concurring  testimony  of  all  the  earlier 
Fathers. 

The  primitive  ehurch,  beyond  all  doubt,  was  episcopal.  The  bishops, 
alone  possessed  the  power  of  ordinution  transmitted  fi-ora  Christ,  the 
head  of  the  church,  that  spiritual  power  which  can  be  dei'ived  from  him 
alone,  if,  then,  presbyters,  who  never  received  authority  to  ordnin, 
•were  to  exercise  this  power,  the  ministerial  commission  which  they 
•would  confer,  -would  not  be  derived  in  the  appointed  channel  from  (Jhristj 
and  of  course  would  not  be  sanctioned  by  him.  The  mode  established 
by  Christ  and  his  apostles,  of  conveying  ministerial  power  in  the  church 
to  "the  end  of  the  world,"  cannot  be  altered  by  any  human  authoniy. 

•  Padag:  lib.  Hi.  cap  12.  -J-  Origetii  lib.  ^5g<  ^^^^ 

r  Cyprianus,  principio  efnst.23. 


Note  J,  for  Page  178.  251 

The  reader  -who  is  in  doubt  on  this  subject,  certainly  one  of  the  most 
■important  that  can  engf>5j;e  liis  attention,  is  earnestly  requested  candidly 
an«l  seriously  toperuse  Potter  on  Church  Government,  and  Law's  Three 
Letters  to  the  Rishop  of  Bangor,  which  last  are  published  in  the  Scholar 
Armed.  The  former  of  these  writers,  by  a  luminous  series  of  tesiitnony 
from  Scripture  and  the  primitive  Fathei-s,  proves  thnt  the  original  con- 
stitution of  the  church  was  episcopal;  and  the  latter,  in  a  masterly  strain 
of  argument,  defends  this  truth  against  all  the  objections  with  which  it 
can  be  assailed.  United,  they  place  the  episcopal  constitution  of  the 
church  on  the  firm  foundation  of  Scripture,  antiquity,  and  sound  reason. 

The  opinion  advanced  by  Sir  Peter  King,  and  since  by  others,  th^t  a 
bishop  was  originally  the  head  of  only  one  congregation,  and  possessed  no 
diocesan  authority,  is  entirely  refuted  and  expose<l  by  Slater,  in  his 
Original  Draught  of  the  Primitive  Church.  And  much  valuable  informa- 
tion on  this  subject  may  be  found  in  Ji  Guide  to  the  Church,*  by  Charles 
Daubeny,  L.  L.  B.  a  presbyter  of  the  Church  of  Rngland. 

The  principles  advanced  in  this  Companion  for  the  Altar,  on  the  subject 
of  the  Christian  ministry,  having  been  violently  assailed,  the  author  found 
it  necessary  to  vindicate  them  in  "  An  Apology  for  Apostolic  Order  and 
its  Advocates.'* 

*  Some  years  since  printed,  from  the  London  edition,  for  Tsaac  Beers 
fe  Co.  of  Xew-Haven,  and  »ow  sold  by  T.  &  J.  Swords,  No.  127  Broad- 
way, New-York. 


THE  END. 


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